Creobroter nebulosa

The ootheca (Thanks Luke) appear to be the same as any Creobroter spp. some nymphs hatched out about 2 months ago. Very strong and robust nymphs and about 90% made it to adult. I have noticed some unique differences between them and the Creobroter gemmatus for both male and female. These are only my observation.

Adult female C. nebulosa (average size)



Adult female C. gemmtus (average size)



The two white spots right below the pronotum on asll the adult female are very different than the other Creobroter sp i have kept before. It is slender rather than large round spot.

C. nebulosa (CN)



C. gemmatus (CG)



Color of black hind wing extend all the all to the edge for CG



Color of black hind wing does not extend all the all to the edge for CN

Now for adult male

CN



CG



The two white spots right below the pronotum on all the adult male CN is either invisible or very small while it is larger for CG.

CN





CG





CN has black sopt on hind wings while CG doesn't

CN





CG





I am sure there are more differences.....

OOh NICE!

That sure is one beautiful spieces

me want

Very interesting comparison of the Creobroter nebulosa and Creobroter gemmatus. Thank you, Yen, for letting us see! Were those males deceased when you took the pics?

Thanks Becky and idolomantis.

The mantis are alive actually. i left them in the fridge to slow them down (kind of cruel i know!) but they regain consciousness pretty fast and i have to struggle strecthing their wings with one hand and phootgraphing it with another hand. :angry:

yen_saw said:

Thanks Becky and idolomantis.The mantis are alive actually. i left them in the fridge to slow them down (kind of cruel i know!) but they regain consciousness pretty fast and i have to struggle strecthing their wings with one hand and phootgraphing it with another hand. :angry:

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Ahhh.... I see! I don't think it hurts them if you don't do it all of the time (or forget about them!). And it helps to make photographing their details easier... so I say, "Good job!"

yen_saw said:

left them in the fridge to slow them down

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Does that also work with annoying creatures(dogs, babies)?

Here are few other pics of C. nebulosa

Adult females











Adult male











Edit: Oh one more difference for the adult female. The wing for CN always past the tip of the abdomen while the wing for CG almost never past the tip of the abdomen.

I could not tell the diff when u were just taking pic of them, but when u put on your hand I could see it better. Pretty neat Yen! and your pics are coming along so well!

Congratulations Yen you have the eyes of an entomologist

this species is awsome nice pics

hibiscusmile said:

I could not tell the diff when u were just taking pic of them, but when u put on your hand I could see it better. Pretty neat Yen! and your pics are coming along so well!

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Ooppsss... did i confuse you again Rebecca All the three adult females on my hand are C. nebulosa, just want to show that not all of them grow to same length but in general they are larer than C. gemmatus i have from Thailand under the same food and growth condition.

Zeth said:

Congratulations Yen you have the eyes of an entomologist

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Ha Thanks. I am sure an entomologist will find more differences than me. I only want a pair of eagle sharp eyes so i could spot more mantis in my coming trip to Asia

whamslam3 said:

this species is awsome nice pics

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Thanks! I hope to get better pics.

This indeed seems to be a different species, so I want some dead ones!!! However, please don't use the name "nebulosa" until I checked it. I would be definitely interested in some specimens for my collection!

Christian said:

This indeed seems to be a different species, so I want some dead ones!!! However, please don't use the name "nebulosa" until I checked it. I would be definitely interested in some specimens for my collection!

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No dead one so far Christian , the 10% lost was during very young stages.

I had a look at the chinese key (1992). this species was originally collected in China (Correct me if i am wrong Luke) Not saying it is definitely C. nebulosa but i used it here because it was documented. I followed the key and found out the only creobroter species in China with black patch on male's hind wing is C. nebulosa. The "V" shape white spot right below pornotum is also recognized only for this species in that area according to a hobbyists. It might be a synonymous of other species you have seen in the German key that i have no idea

it is written Chinese obviously (Creobroter nebulosa Zheng, 1988)

Which article or source is this key from?

it is all in Chinese. Written by Xia Kai Ling 1992 Shang Hai. Title translated as "Mantis Taxonomy in China"

Hi Yen, long-time admirer, first-time inquirer.

I have read up on the Creobroter sp. & found that one can influence their coloration. For instance, pink flowers in their enclosure will see them adopt a more pinky hue. Is this correct? And, for that matter, can they be persuaded to turn other colours (green, yellow, brown, etc.)? Or is pink the only variation? I realise that genetics plays a major part in overall coloration but I just wanted clarification on the weight of environmental factors.

James.

They can have a wide range of coloration, but you need natural sun light to achieve the whole spectrum. To get different colors you have to paint the whole enclosure in the desired color. Putting a flower inside isn't sufficient. This works with some other genera as well, but don't expect every single animal to follow your "advices". It's more a matter of percentage.

jameslongo said:

Hi Yen, long-time admirer, first-time inquirer.I have read up on the Creobroter sp. & found that one can influence their coloration. For instance, pink flowers in their enclosure will see them adopt a more pinky hue. Is this correct? And, for that matter, can they be persuaded to turn other colours (green, yellow, brown, etc.)? Or is pink the only variation? I realise that genetics plays a major part in overall coloration but I just wanted clarification on the weight of environmental factors.

James.

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Hi James,

As Christian pointed out it takes lot of effort to see color changes for Creobroter sp. Personally i have tried it by isolating each individually to its paper color cage, there is a slight change in color as nymphs but as adult they always look alike in color. what a waste of time i know! Pseudocreobotra spp (wahlbergii or ocellata) provides much better results with different colors. So if you like to experience color changes try on Pseudocreobotra spp instead of Creobroter spp.

I have three type of Creobroter spp they all show similar color to their own type as adult when kept under same condition

Crebroter gemmatus from Thailand - green



C. pictipennis (stock from Germany but i suspect it might be C. gemmatus?) - dark green





C. nebulosa - coffee