paykullii Stål, 1871 and Tenodera sinensis Saussure, 1871), but the causes of their arrival are not clear ( Schwarz and Ehrmann 2018). Brunneria borealis Scudder, 1896, Miomantis caffra Saussure, 1871, M.

Some of the new European aliens have arrived from other countries or even continents (e.g. This role, even if not common, is not new for this order of insects at a global level ( Gurney 1951, Anderson 2018, Howarth and Mull 1992, Ramsay 1984), but has been encountered in Europe as a fast evolving scenario ( Marabuto 2014, Battiston et al. Identification characters are also presented to separate this alien species from the other species of the subfamily Mantinae, native or introduced, present in Europe.ĭuring the last few years, some mantids species have drawn the attention of specialists and the media in Europe as new alien species. The random pattern of presence in the local urban textures and the resistance of this species to the challenging North Italian climate, are here discussed in the perspective of a future expansion to central and Northern Europe, using probably the main railways to arrive at depots and cities, travelling with Asian goods. A spatial analysis (Average Nearest Neighbour) was undertaken to characterise the present distribution pattern, evidencing the hot spots of arrival and the local spreading process. Specimens and individuals were collected or observed on trees and ornamentals in urban ecosystems with the help of citizen science. This macro-population shows a wide distribution, comprising several fragmented and reproducing sub-populations in Northern Italy and one in Southern France. The presence of the Indochina mantis Hierodula patellifera ( Mantidae, Mantinae) as a new alien species in Italy is reported, with the description of the first stable macro-population in Europe.

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