View Full Version : Got in one of "those" packages yesterday!
Hmm ... What could be in this box?
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Ghost%20Praying%20Mantis/DSC_6905_zpsgapo2uk7.jpg
Almost there ...
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Ghost%20Praying%20Mantis/DSC_6906_zps8xdyw4m8.jpg
There they all are! 4.3 micro predators of the invertebrate type ...
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Ghost%20Praying%20Mantis/DSC_6907_zpspscuhwob.jpg
And here is one of the males closer up.
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Ghost%20Praying%20Mantis/DSC_6908_zps9fv1sspg.jpg
trailblazer295
05-11-16, 06:03 PM
What is it? Never seen a body shape like that before.
They are Ghost praying mantis. Some L2 and most are L3. Tiny little things!
trailblazer295
05-11-16, 06:15 PM
Cool, almost looked like a scorpion. They sure look tiny. Any pics of their new home?
Not yet, I'll be taking more pictures of them in awhile.
About half of our Ghost mantids have molted to L3 and the others are already to L4 in the last few days. I'm very pleased that one of the L4s is starting to turn green! Appears the other 2 will be brown.
Our previous one only made it to L4 and was going to be brown. She failed to molt and died though.
I love mantis'
I've thought about keeping them, but I am so in transit lately it's not a good idea.
Let me know how hard they are to keep though- defiantly something I'd be interested in, in the future.
The mantids got an upgrade in caging today, so I took a bunch of pictures. Unfortunately, they are so small it takes a lot of coaxing to convince my camera they DO exist and I DO want it to focus THERE!
Doesn't help that they sway to mimic leaves too. Looks like there are going to be at least 2, possibly 3 green ones so far.
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Ghost%20Praying%20Mantis/DSC_8161_zpsrnsveiku.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Ghost%20Praying%20Mantis/DSC_8162_zpsahvjw37t.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Ghost%20Praying%20Mantis/DSC_8163_zpsgdcrgl2c.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Ghost%20Praying%20Mantis/DSC_8164_zpsokcauawo.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Ghost%20Praying%20Mantis/DSC_8165_zps3tfpqoqq.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Ghost%20Praying%20Mantis/DSC_8166_zpsubhypoll.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Ghost%20Praying%20Mantis/DSC_8167_zpstgywy3md.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Ghost%20Praying%20Mantis/DSC_8168_zpszvipe5ps.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Ghost%20Praying%20Mantis/DSC_8169_zpsa1xuzeii.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Ghost%20Praying%20Mantis/DSC_8171_zpskuh8dcax.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Ghost%20Praying%20Mantis/DSC_8172_zpslxizty7s.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Ghost%20Praying%20Mantis/DSC_8173_zpsfaxfcmwt.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Ghost%20Praying%20Mantis/DSC_8174_zps5tnvhw3n.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Ghost%20Praying%20Mantis/DSC_8179_zps23hiiqyq.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Ghost%20Praying%20Mantis/DSC_8178_zps4q6rkq5l.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Ghost%20Praying%20Mantis/DSC_8176_zpsgmyiox69.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Ghost%20Praying%20Mantis/DSC_8175_zpsbmxq1m71.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Ghost%20Praying%20Mantis/DSC_8180_zpsq5yu04id.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Ghost%20Praying%20Mantis/DSC_8181_zpsyyau3rod.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Ghost%20Praying%20Mantis/DSC_8182_zpsvkkzpgo7.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Ghost%20Praying%20Mantis/DSC_8183_zps1y59jfpw.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Ghost%20Praying%20Mantis/DSC_8184_zpsi2oxeijv.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Ghost%20Praying%20Mantis/DSC_8185_zpsb7ptkmgp.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Ghost%20Praying%20Mantis/DSC_8186_zpsiv4eau0k.jpg
And their new house, replacing their tall deli cup.
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Ghost%20Praying%20Mantis/DSC_8187_zpswxsblaqu.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Ghost%20Praying%20Mantis/DSC_8190_zpsdff2grhd.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Ghost%20Praying%20Mantis/DSC_8189_zps6enjqmtq.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Ghost%20Praying%20Mantis/DSC_8188_zpsf8axn9n6.jpg
tastybeets
06-06-16, 04:13 PM
They're ADORABLE! <3
Side note: your nails are gorgeous. I have some serious nail envy right now.
albertagirl
06-06-16, 05:46 PM
Holy beans! I had no idea they were so tiny! How do you even find them, never mind move them around without breaking them?
One's eye becomes very good at spotting them quite quickly! And yeah, a lot of care and caution is needed when handling them but they are brave and fairly smart little critters.
They seem to realize that people are alive but no particular danger to them. They seem to like to watch people and want to climb us. They can be difficult to get back into the cage in fact, because they try to stay on the hand holding them.
They can move quickly when they need to but don't run from you and stay still enough that it's only a small worry over inadvertently crushing one while handling.
Pareeeee
06-07-16, 07:38 AM
Really awesome!!! I love mantds. They're probably my favourite insects. My husband wants some mantids but we cant find them anywhere here.
albertagirl
06-07-16, 09:50 AM
One's eye becomes very good at spotting them quite quickly! And yeah, a lot of care and caution is needed when handling them but they are brave and fairly smart little critters.
They seem to realize that people are alive but no particular danger to them. They seem to like to watch people and want to climb us. They can be difficult to get back into the cage in fact, because they try to stay on the hand holding them.
They can move quickly when they need to but don't run from you and stay still enough that it's only a small worry over inadvertently crushing one while handling.
I find it happens a LOT while cruising these forums that I learn new things I didn't know I didn't know. It's hard to research or ask questions when you don't even know where the holes in your knowledge are, but just reading everything I can get my hands on has offered me a lot of interesting information I never would have found otherwise. This is one of those times. I knew nothing about these little guys until this thread. I'm finding it fascinating. Thanks for sharing!!
Took some more pictures over the last few days.
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/DSC_8255_zps9f0csxak.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/DSC_8256_zpsgdyyz5sv.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/DSC_8258_zpsy98fuwl5.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/DSC_8259_zpsv0ykyozk.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/DSC_8260_zpsetbwoutk.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/DSC_8261_zpsyx7msyuw.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/DSC_8262_zps0qd3rmss.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/DSC_8263_zps1ddhs5j9.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/DSC_8264_zpsfu9pevdr.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/DSC_8265_zpsz4fiqkdt.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/DSC_8266_zpsejpei1ky.jpg
One of the remaining 4 mantids molted into an adult a few days ago, so I took some pictures of all of them. Got 3 greens and a light brown one, I believe 3 females and 1 male, though I'm not sure about that.
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Ghost%20Praying%20Mantis/DSC_0309_zpsq1faoyrq.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Ghost%20Praying%20Mantis/DSC_0310_zpsgbfr2pse.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Ghost%20Praying%20Mantis/DSC_0311_zps2ziacbo5.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Ghost%20Praying%20Mantis/DSC_0312_zpshjdvch2c.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Ghost%20Praying%20Mantis/DSC_0313_zpslv6irrlh.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Ghost%20Praying%20Mantis/DSC_0314_zpsxtoghcck.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Ghost%20Praying%20Mantis/DSC_0315_zpsd2gslplh.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Ghost%20Praying%20Mantis/DSC_0316_zpsakzycc1c.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Ghost%20Praying%20Mantis/DSC_0317_zpsvl74isao.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Ghost%20Praying%20Mantis/DSC_0318_zps3vhtnn6u.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Ghost%20Praying%20Mantis/DSC_0319_zpslcy3vmdv.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Ghost%20Praying%20Mantis/DSC_0320_zpszdjadrtk.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Ghost%20Praying%20Mantis/DSC_0321_zpscrccijrb.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Ghost%20Praying%20Mantis/DSC_0322_zpsn39kbfff.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Ghost%20Praying%20Mantis/DSC_0323_zpszqpk1xku.jpg
JellyBean
10-04-16, 07:14 PM
That is so wild!
Where are they indigenous? Makes me think I step on them without even knowing :(
I am having difficulty discerning what is a head, eye, mouth...
So very intriguing!!
macandchz
10-04-16, 07:26 PM
i have never seen anything like these. the only praying mantis i've ever seen is big and green and look like leaves.
These are an African species and much longer lived than the ones native to the US. They are also much smaller, as adults.
This is more or less what the native US species look like, though I think there are actually several different kinds here and they have some slight differences in appearance. They hatch out about the size of a largish ant and get around 3-4 inches long. Picture courtesy of Google.
JellyBean
10-04-16, 08:05 PM
Now THATs what I know! A praying mantis, protected by law. Illegal to kill them in the US.
Yours are amazing little creatures. How long do your African mantis live?
They are called Ghost mantis and can live up to 18 months.
BobBarley
10-04-16, 09:47 PM
Lots of species (Mantis religiosa, Tenodera sinensis, etc.) are in the US but aren't native here. The one pictured above looks like a Mantis religiosa so not really native to the US lol. They've been brought here by nurseries and people who buy the eggs at their local gardening store thinking they are pest controllers, when really, they eat many bees and butterflies and wreck the ecosystem.
I used to be in the mantis hobby but I stopped because of how fragile they are and how expensive of a hobby it is (comparing to tarantulas and other inverts). Was always intrigued by this species as they are communal and I've witnessed firsthand how cannibalistic most other species are. Maybe one day I'll get a colony of these guys set up.
Awesome specimens and good luck with getting the others to adults!
EDITED TO ADD: Found this quote on a website and found it interesting...
Wild Maryland 101: Amazing Maryland Bugs: Carolina Mantis (Stagmomantis carolina) (http://wildmaryland101.blogspot.com/2012/09/amazing-maryland-bugs-carolina-mantis.html)
"A common mantis myth is that mantises, often described as praying mantises, are protected or endangered species and it is illegal to kill them. This myth was probably perpetuated by the relative rarity and impressiveness of mantids when compared with other more apparent garden insects, as well as their reputation as beneficial predators and therefore "good bugs."
Chinese and European (praying) mantises are non-native in origin and are not protected at all. In fact, even in their countries of origin, they are very common and their numbers are stable. Because they are non-native and may prey on native creatures, including native butterflies, bees, Carolina mantises, and even hummingbirds, Maryland ecosystems may benefit from fewer of these introduced predators.
Carolina mantises are native, but do not get any specific legal protection. In certain areas, such as state or national parks, it is illegal to kill any organisms without proper licensing or permission. In one's own backyard or garden, there is no legislation protecting the Carolina mantis. However, as a efficient native predator that plays an important role as an insect predator, and one that is completely harmless to humans, the Carolina mantis certainly deserves our respect and should not be killed out of fear or frivolity. South Carolina has even gone as far as to honor the Carolina mantis as its state insect!"
dannybgoode
10-04-16, 10:58 PM
Very neat. Whilst I may not suffer from nail envy I am certainly suffering from mantis envy!
JellyBean
10-05-16, 03:14 PM
Charis: no offense to your beautiful ghost mantis! I find it hard to keep pets that have such a small life span, but it is very interesting indeed!
Bob: Thank you for the info. I love to learn new things, and guess I got caught up in the myth. I have been told that since I was a child! (Not that I would kill anything, especially something so beautiful)
Danny: LOL!
marvelfreak
10-05-16, 04:25 PM
Wow those are so freaking amazing looking.
Tsubaki
10-07-16, 01:28 AM
Those looks very cool! Never been much into mantis keeping but they sure are impressive :D
Some kind of crummy pics of the now adults breeding.
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Ghost%20Praying%20Mantis/DSC_0402_zpsbkyionkv.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Ghost%20Praying%20Mantis/DSC_0404_zpskmzgmhqe.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Ghost%20Praying%20Mantis/DSC_0405_zpsgxv6mnb9.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac238/MaidofChainz/Ghost%20Praying%20Mantis/DSC_0406_zpsjtebvid4.jpg
Albert Clark
10-18-16, 03:43 PM
Interesting! Do the females of this species devour the male after mating? Thx for sharing.
These are considered communal and "almost" never eat each other though the risk of a mistake does exist. But no, they almost never eat the male after breeding. Females typically lay 15 to 20 ootheca during their adult phase and each ootheca typically contains 20 to 30 eggs/babies.
animalkingdom
10-19-16, 06:14 PM
Very nice. Where did you purchase these from?
Got them from Table Rock Reptiles, they are on Facebook.
BobBarley
10-19-16, 09:21 PM
Awesome, good luck with the babies!!!
chairman
10-21-16, 11:13 AM
That's neat. Hope you get enough babies to keep a group going, they're nice to look at.
I have heard that some varieties do require keepers to monitor breeding with a pair of forceps holding a cricket. Allegedly the females will eat the cricket instead of the male if presented properly. I guess that kingsnake breeders have it easy by comparison.
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