The silent spreading of a giant mantis: a critical update on the distribution of Sphodromantis viridis (Forskål, 1775) in the Mediterranean islands (Mantodea: Mantidae)

The recent discovery of new specimens of Sphodromantis viridis (Forskål, 1775) in Sardinia, together with the increasing number of sightings reported in the literature for the Mediterranean islands, allow a first investigation of the spreading dynamics of this mantis outside of its continental habitat in a biogeographical perspective. An insect historically absent from the Mediterranean islands but often sinantropic and with spreading dynamics compatible with an anthropogenic dispersal is confirmed here as a new species for Italy.