Ábrahám Levente (szerk.): Válogatott tanulmányok XIX. - Natura Somogyiensis 35. / Miscellanea 19. (Kaposvár, 2020)
Szinetár, Cs. - Kenyeres, Z.: Introducing of Ameles spallanzania (Rossi, 1792) (Insecta, Mantodea) to Hungary raising questions of fauna-changes
136 Natura Somogyiensis Discussion Ameles spallanzcmia is a typical Mediterranean species with its main area ranging from Morocco to Greece, from North Africa to South Europe. The species often shares its habitat with Mantis religiosa, a far more common Mantid with a wider distribution range, including Hungary. In terms of phenology, Ameles spallanzania appears later during the year and has a more flexible hatching time. The phenology of the species has been extensively studied by Battiston & Galliani (2011). Females lay their ootheca from September to October on hard, sunlit surfaces. According to observations, it can resist to snow, ice and temperatures as low as -9°C. The eggs hatch quite late during the summer (in June) when minimum air temperatures are around 15-20°C. Hatching time can vary greatly, the difference can reach up to one month. We know of regular observations of Ameles spallanzania specimens accidentally introduced to Hungarian garden centres, especially around Budapest (personal communication of Gellért Puskás). Our present record of the species (Szársomlyó hill as possible place of origin) offers the possibility of natural migration though because Ameles spallanzania has long colonized the area of former Yugoslavia, today’s Croatia (Us & Matvejev 1967). Yet, chances of self-sustaining populations created by spontaneous migration are rather low due to the current level of habitat fragmentation. Also, males are capable of active dispersal but females are short-winged (brachypterous) (Battiston & Galliani 2011). Accidentally introduced fertilized females, however, can possibly establish populations existing for longer periods. All things considered, our recent record is more likely a result of accidental introduction by import of garden plants. Based on the above and knowing the Hungary’s south-facing, dry grassland slopes are climatically suitable for this species, presence-absence surveys in natural habitats (especially in the hill ranges of SW-Hungary) would be important. Acknowledgements The authors would like to express their gratitude to Gellért Puskás for the prior records of Ameles spallanzania in Hungary, and to Nicolas Moulin, Laure Desutter and Michel Lecoq for their suggestions and help in the identification of the specimen.
