Buyda phthisica (Gerstaecker, 1885)

(Fig. 25, Map 3)

Mantispa phthisica Gerstaecker 1885: 35 . Holotype: female, Brazil, Amazonas (EMAU), not studied. Buyda phthisica; Hoffman 2002: 253; Ohl 2004: 161 (cat.); Machado & Rafael 2010: 7 (redesc.).

Specimens examined. Colombia: Meta: Cabaña Mirlas, NNP Sumapaz, 03°48’N – 73°52’W, 710 m, 3~ 30.IV.2002, H. Vargas, Malaise trap m-3111 (1 ♀—IAvH); Puerto Rico, La Lindosa, 02°56’30’’N – 73°12’30’’W, 210 m, 03.V.2009, L. Rodríguez & J. Rojas (1 ♂ —MUD); Valle del Cauca: Buenaventura, Bajo Anchicayá, 270 m, 21.XII.1976 (1 ♀—MUSENUV-2967); Buenaventura, Anchicayá, 400 m, X.1984, M. Cuadrado (1 ♂ —MUSENUV-2969); Buenaventura, Bajo Anchicayá, 270 m, 7.IV.1992, F. Lozano, trampa de luz (1 ♂ —MUSENUV-2966); Dagua, Alto Anchicayá, 03°32’0,97’’N – 76°52’23,7’’W, 660 m, 11.IX.2010, K. Ospina, light trap (1 ♀—MUSENUV); Buenaventura, Alto Anchicayá, 643 m, 26.V.1998, E. Jiménez, manual capture on vegetation (1 ♂ —MUSENUV); Buenaventura, Anchicayá, 400 m, XI.1988, B. Amada, atracted to light (1 ♀—MUSENUV-2968).

Diagnosis. Body color pattern consisting of a mixture of dark brown, light brown and green or ochreous in specimens preserved for long time. Frons with an inverted V-shapped mark. Wing-tips infuscated. Hypomeres as long as the pseudopenis (Hoffman 2002; Machado & Rafael 2010).

Remarks. According to Hoffman (2002) and Machado & Rafael (2010), adults of this species can be found at any time of the year. Their altitudinal range is approximated as 0‒ 710 m. This species is recorded from Meta and Valle del Cauca for the first time, being a relatively common species in rainforests.

The biology of this species is unknown. However, Miranda (2007, Figure 13) reported and illustrated a specimen from Panama reared from an egg-sac of Ancylometes bogotensis (Keyserling) (Ctenidae) and determined as Mantispa sp. within the gracilis species group, whose body color pattern is very similar to B. phthisica . Distribution. Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Peru, Surinam, Uruguay.