3 largest species

[lectricblueyes]

What are the three largest species of mantid in captivity and out there in the wild? Name and size?

Thanks!

 

[Christian]

There was a thread like this some time ago. However, for the sake of it, measured as body size without wings:

In captivity (at moment):

Solygia sulcatifrons (females <16 cm)

Plistospilota guineensis (females <12-13 cm)

In the category 10-11 cm there are several species

In mantids as such:

Ischnomantis gigas (females <17 cm)

2 Toxodera sp. (females <16,6 cm)

Solygia sulcatifrons (see above)

 

[PhilinYuma]

There was a thread like this some time ago. However, for the sake of it, measured as body size without wings:In captivity (at moment):

Solygia sulcatifrons (females <16 cm)

Plistospilota guineensis (females <12-13 cm)

In the category 10-11 cm there are several species

In mantids as such:

Ischnomantis gigas (females <17 cm)

2 Toxodera sp. (females <16,6 cm)

Solygia sulcatifrons (see above)

Those are all the ones I was going to say (I. gigas, anyway)!

 

[lectricblueyes]

There was a thread like this some time ago. However, for the sake of it, measured as body size without wings:In captivity (at moment):

Solygia sulcatifrons (females <16 cm)

Plistospilota guineensis (females <12-13 cm)

In the category 10-11 cm there are several species

In mantids as such:

Ischnomantis gigas (females <17 cm)

2 Toxodera sp. (females <16,6 cm)

Solygia sulcatifrons (see above)

Thanks so much for the info Christian and Phil. Sometimes the search feature turns up some related results, and sometimes not. Thank you!

 

[OGIGA]

Hmm, what about largest by mass? The long ones seem a bit on the thin side.

 

[Christian]

Solygia and Ischnomantis are rather massive, even though they look slender. Macromantis, Plistospilota & Idolomantis are also rather heavy.

I suppose that some of the larger Rhombodera species (Rh. fratricida, Rh. laticollis) would be the most massive ones.

 

[OGIGA]

Oh yeah, I remember something about macromantis. I'd totally get my hands on them if they were available. Just hope they don't get their hands on me!

 

[Rob Byatt]

Solygia and Ischnomantis are rather massive, even though they look slender. Macromantis, Plistospilota & Idolomantis are also rather heavy.I suppose that some of the larger Rhombodera species (Rh. fratricida, Rh. laticollis) would be the most massive ones.

I weighed a female Plistopilota guineensis a few weeks ago, she was 10g From the specimens of R. fratricida that I have seen, I would say P. guineensis, though not the bulkiest, would be the heavier of the two.

Christian, have you ever weighed a fat female Idolomantis?

 

[Christian]

Not yet, but they are rather heavy when I handle them. I should get the chance to weigh some one day. The Rhombodera specimens of the mentioned species that I saw were much larger and looked still heavier than a Plistospilota. However, due to variation, there may also be smaller specimens. We need live ones to compare - those would be the h e l l of a mantid.

Macromantis on the other hand, as large as they are, are scared by their own shadow. Just large and dumb ones... :lol: Every H. membranacea is more ferocious.

 

[Kruszakus]

Not yet, but they are rather heavy when I handle them. I should get the chance to weigh some one day. The Rhombodera specimens of the mentioned species that I saw were much larger and looked still heavier than a Plistospilota. However, due to variation, there may also be smaller specimens. We need live ones to compare - those would be the h e l l of a mantid.Macromantis on the other hand, as large as they are, are scared by their own shadow. Just large and dumb ones... :lol: Every H. membranacea is more ferocious.

Christian - would you be so kind and take pictures of adult Solygia females?

It would be nice if they were like next to a ruler

 

[Christian]

I don't keep this species.