Hierodula maculata Wang, Zhou & Zhang, 2020

(Figs. 13C–D, 15O)

Hierodula chinensis nec Werner, 1929. In: Tinkham 1937: 559–560; Wang 1993 a: 136–137; Zhu et al. 2012: 247–248. Hierodula maculata Wang, Zhou & Zhang, 2020a: 4 . Holotype (♂): China, Guangdong, SEM.

Material examined. 1♂, 2♀, CHINA, Hubei, Xiangfan, Nantan, Feicuixia, 31°46’17’’N, 111°38’19’’E, alt. 492m, 1.vi.2019, leg. Chuxiang Zhao. 1♀, CHINA, Guizhou, Qiandongnan, Danzhai, Wuzhong, 26°14’14’’N, 107°55’05’’E, alt. 870m, 2.viii.2019, leg. Guiqiang Huang. 1♀, CHINA, Guizhou, Qiandongnan, Leishan, Zhangpi, 26°19’01’’N, 108°03’48’’E, alt. 1025m, 3.viii.2019, leg. Guiqiang Huang.

Measurements [in mm, ♂ (n = 1), ♀ (n = 4)]. Body length, ♂ 50.0, ♀ 58–68.5. Pronotum length, ♂ 14.0–16.0, ♀ 18.5–21.5. Forewing length, ♂ 34.0, ♀ 35.3–40.8.

Distribution. China (Guangdong, Sichuan, Guizhou, Hubei).

Remarks. The species features the characteristics of the H. patellifera group, with the metazona 1.8–2.3 times as long as the prozona; not distinctly bilobed afa of male genitalia and quite slender and smooth sdpl. Wang et al. (2020a) established this species mainly by the black patch on the inner side of the forefemur and the ratio of afa on male genitalia. However, similar pigmented spots are also found in some specimens of Sphodromantis lineola Burmeister, 1838, a species usually lacking spots, and the ratio of afa of male genitalia in H. patellifera group seem to be variable. Male genitalia (Fig. 13C–D) of specimens studied herein do not differ from the holotype.

Ootheca (Fig. 15O) rectangular in profile. Similar to that of H. patellifera . External wall general coloured dark brown after taking off its beige outer coating. The lateral suture of each egg chamber on the external wall is not as obvious as in H. patellifera . Emergence area composed of multiple openings, and each of the emergence areas with a flexible operculum. The flaps of which project slightly beyond the edge of the ootheca, and forming a short residual process curved to the dorsal.