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[09.04.15] I managed to get hold of some eggs of this stunning species so here's hoping that they hatch and I can raise them to adult! :D IMG_2562 by Richard Nakamura, on Flickr

[08.07.15] I ordered a CB pair of this species along with a WC pair of Chalcosoma caucasus a week ago and here they are. :)

[08.07.15] I ordered a WC pair of this species along with a CB pair of Phalacrognathus muelleri a week ago and here they are. :) The male is a handsome 110mm but the female already has quite a few bits and bobs of her legs missing- the tell-tale signs of old age. I don't think I'll be able...

[09.04.15] I ordered a pair of DHH (minor male- 98mm) on Friday last week from Japan and it finally came today after parcelforce managed to muck things up again. The pair still seem to be inactive as neither of them were interested in the jellies or banana I had offered them and dug down after...

[26.03.15] I traded some Acrophylla wuelfingi nymphs for 5x L2 larvae of M. ugandensis a few days ago and received the larvae today. Two of the larvae were early L3s but out of the five, only one is a male... and it's the second smallest. LOL I'm going to try keeping the male a few degrees...

I hope the Easter bunny brought you lot a lot of chocolate eggs today! Picture1 by Darkrai283, on Flickr

[25.01.15] Picked up a pair of these beauties that were said to be "giants" a few years ago. Even though people said that they didn't turn out to be as large as they were said to be, they're still a beautiful sp. IMO. IMG_2385 by Darkrai283, on Flickr IMG_2379 by Darkrai283, on Flickr...

[25.01.15] I picked up 2 nymphs (one subadult, one pre-subadult) at the S.E.A.S today... I was so annoyed when I got back and realised that I had bought two males! What happened was that I sexed a pair and left them to the side at the very start of the show, then had a look around on other...

[25.01.15] Picked up a pair of Prohierodula sp. (picta?) at the S.E.A.S from Arthropodia. IMG_2373 by Darkrai283, on Flickr IMG_2378 by Darkrai283, on Flickr IMG_2375 by Darkrai283, on Flickr

[26.01.14] Bought 6 small nymphs of these at the S.E.A.S from Arthropodia. [01.02.14] Pics of a female nymph IMG_5607 by darkrai283, on Flickr IMG_5604 by darkrai283, on Flickr

This diary thread will start with events from August 2013 but I haven't uploaded those photos to flickr yet... So here's a video of a female's defensive stridulation in action (I wrote 'hissing' in the hope of getting more views. :P ):

[03.12.14] The longest stag beetles species in the world is in my hands again. :D It's been 8 years now since I last kept this species. I received a pair today (96mm male; world record- 124mm) and I'm hoping to be able to breed them again. :) I'll upload the photos later as they're on the...

UPDATED FOR THE END OF AUGUST, 2014 *DELETED* (because it looked really messy) The lists will just be uploaded in the posts/comments. (I will try to do it monthly but I am quite busy so may not be able to do so)

[04.10.14] Picked up two 4th instar nymphs I sexed as a pair from Martin. F at the AES. :) Pics: Female IMG_0574 by darkrai283, on Flickr IMG_0576 by darkrai283, on Flickr Male IMG_0570 by darkrai283, on Flickr

[04.10.14] Picked up a pair of these at the AES from Arthropodia. Current stadium of the two nymphs: Female: 6th instar (Pre-subadult) Male: 3rd instar (Pre-pre-subadult) Pics IMG_0558 by darkrai283, on Flickr IMG_0566 by darkrai283, on Flickr IMG_0564 by darkrai283, on Flickr IMG_0569 by...

[17.08.14] I accidentally bought 2 pairs at the Kempton Park Reptile Show today! One small pair off Graham. S and another subadult pair off Martin. G! Grrrrrrr... Anyway, I gave the smaller pair to my brother... Female: Untitled by darkrai283, on Flickr Untitled by darkrai283, on Flickr...

[17.08.14] Bought two nymphs I sexed as a pair (hopefully I'm right) off Graham today at the Kempton Park Reptile Show. Female Untitled by darkrai283, on Flickr Untitled by darkrai283, on Flickr Male Untitled by darkrai283, on Flickr Untitled by darkrai283, on Flickr

[23.09.14] Finally... I finally managed to add this amazing species to my list. LOL :lol: Agreed to a trade with my pre-subadult pair of Phyllocrania paradoxa (Ghost mantis) for 3, 2nd instar nymphs of Idolomantis diabolica a month ago and I finally received them today. I'll be extremely...

[08.09.14] Finally managed to source a subadult pair of this beautiful Hierodula sp.. I hope to be able to breed these again. Both the male and the female moulted to adult in transit and even managed to expand their wings properly without damaging them. The only apparent 'injuries' the female...

Hi, I've been a member on here for almost 3 months now but I haven't really checked the forum or anything until today. I am 15 (16 on Sunday) and I live in Croydon (south London), UK. Mantis-wise, I first started out with wild caught Tenodera spp., Hierodula patellifera and Statilia maculata...