One of two species/variants of Mantidfly I found on the moth sheet tonight. First time seeing these. I am going to try and ID them using the BG guide pages but appreciate help. I think there should be enough detail. I have several more angles/details of these.

This is the smaller of the two, this one is about 13mm body length.

Note: This Carolina anemone had already lost its sepals. I measured the fruiting receptacle to be about 8 mm. I didn't see what appears to be a beak, similar to what I've photographed on the fruit of an Anemone berlandieri, until I uploaded the photos and cropped them.

This specimen was DNA barcoded (COI gene) and determined to be M. vibicalis. Here is the phylogeny that includes this specimen: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1GpQTYxZlpPmKx19uLNlzXOgTrdX-nbZc4Y5K7nMsSyA/edit?usp=sharing

The straight sub-terminal line (and a clear or diffuse AM band) is diagnostic of M. vibicalis; whereas a curved line (with notch or tooth where line ends at the midline) is diagnostic of M. ophionalis: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/901568

Williamson County, Tx. In right of way of Ronald Reagan Blvd. north of Hwy 29. Most were mowed down except for those adjacent to fence, though many were visible inside the fence. Plants appeared mostly up to about 1 meter high.

The point of this observation is to show a correlation between certain types of phyllaries and the scales on the disc florets, which is a distinguishing feature between Amphiachyris species in central Texas and the similar looking Gutierrezia texana, which has an absent pappus or of minute scales. The phyllaries here typically appear wider and are a uniform color across their width as opposed to ones on G. texana which often have a narrow green border on the phyllary midvein or at the tip.

Photos were a bit rushed due to harsh light and wind.

I know this is rare but someone can correct me if I'm wrong. Ruled out A. gatteringi and A. oligophylla based on the shape of the calyx, which is straight sided rather than curved or hemispheric. The leaves are 1 mm wide or less. Liatris squarrosa, acidota, and elegans, as well as Bigelowia nuttalli were in the immediate vicinity.