Hierodula majuscula
{{short description|Species of praying mantis}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Use Australian English|date=July 2011}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Giant rainforest mantis, Candlenut imported from iNaturalist photo 379196017.jpg
| image_caption = Individual near Cape Tribulation, Queensland
| genus = Hierodula
| species = majuscula
| authority = (Tindale, 1923)
| synonyms = {{species list|Parhierodula majuscula|Tindale,
}}
Hierodula majuscula is a species of praying mantis in the genus Hierodula. It is also known as the giant rainforest mantis and the Australian giant mantis. It is found in coastal northern Australia, usually in rainforest and adjacent habitats.{{cite web |url=http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/abrs/online-resources/fauna/afd/taxa/Hierodula_%28Hierodula%29_majuscula |title=Species Hierodula (Hierodula) majuscula (Tindale, 1923) |work=Australian Faunal Directory |publisher=Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts |date=9 October 2008 |accessdate=27 June 2010}} This species is typically green although a less common bright yellow form does occur.
Diet
It is predominantly a predator of insects including phasmids, grasshoppers, crickets, flies and other mantids. It also feeds on other invertebrate predators such as spiders and occasionally small vertebrates like geckos, frogs, and juvenile snakes.{{Fact|date=December 2024}}
Description
This is the largest species of Australian mantids. Size is 70–110 mm in total length from eye to wing. It is one of the largest mantis species in the world. The specific epithet "majuscula" means large in Latin.{{citation needed|date=December 2015}}
Classification
The species was originally described as Parhierodula majuscula from Northern Queensland near Cairns in 1923 by Norman Tindale. In 1935, the genus Parhierodula was synonymized with Hierodula by Max Beier.{{Cite book |last=Wytsman |first=P. |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/223794#page/839/mode/1up |title=Genera insectorum |last2=Wytsman |first2=P. |last3=Townsend |first3=Lee Hill |last4=Wytsman |first4=P. |date=1902 |publisher=L. Desmet-Verteneuil [etc.] |volume=196-203 |location=Bruxelles}}{{Cite web |title=synonym Parhierodula Giglio-Tos, 1912: Mantodea Species File |url=http://mantodea.speciesfile.org/Common/basic/Taxa.aspx?TaxonNameID=1183966 |access-date=2024-12-30 |website=mantodea.speciesfile.org}}
Gallery
Giant Rainforest Mantis (Hierodula majuscula) (9733969752).jpg|Adult
Hierodula majuscula couple.JPG|Mating couple
See also
References
External links
- [http://museumsvictoria.com.au/about/mv-blog/mar-2012/bug-of-the-month-rainforest-mantid/ Rainforest Mantid (Hierodula majuscula)] on museumvictoria.com.au
{{Taxonbar|from=Q2619094}}