SEASONAL PHENOLOGY AND OVERWINTERING OF MANTISPA-VIRIDIS WALKER (NEUROPTERA, MANTISPIDAE) IN SOUTH-CAROLINA

Captures of immatures and adults of Mantispa viridis Walker indicate t his species has at least three distinct generations per year in the Cl emson area of South Carolina, with an occasional fourth one in late fa ll and early winter. Mark-recapture studies show that M. viridis adult s are rarely recaptured. Experiments exposing adults and immatures to ambient fall and winter temperatures in the Upper Piedmont of South Ca rolina resulted in the death of all adults by December, but 33% of the larvae emerged as adults the following spring from late February thro ugh May. The ability to survive prolonged freezing weather as immature s inside spider egg sacs may allow M. viridis to inhabit the colder re gions of its range.