No name sorry. It was on Ruby road next to Pena Blanca lake. A big sign showing campground.
Arizona trip 2015
- Thread starter yen_saw
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So Madera Canyon never disappoint me. Following species spotted
Bactromantis mexicanus F
Yersiniops sp (2 different species i think), F/M
S. limbata M/F
L. minor M/F
S. californica M
On my last day, My wife and I went to Molino basin campground. I was told Arizona unicorn mantis have been spotted there before.
The way to the campground is beautiful..... cactus on the slope everywhere
As we ascending towards the mountain, it gets more rocky
Finally, nearly 5000 ft above sea level. We arrived at the campground
Unfortunately, this place appeared to have gone through drought season....... not many insects around
The only mantis found was a nymph of B. mexicanus at the restroom
So after spending only 1 hour we decided to go to Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge. THat place is full of insects.
As soon as I stepped on the pavement at the entrance there was a male S. limbata
Many S. limbata females spotted, some even on the pavement
and around the bush next to the pavement
Bactromantis mexicanus F
Yersiniops sp (2 different species i think), F/M
S. limbata M/F
L. minor M/F
S. californica M
On my last day, My wife and I went to Molino basin campground. I was told Arizona unicorn mantis have been spotted there before.
The way to the campground is beautiful..... cactus on the slope everywhere
As we ascending towards the mountain, it gets more rocky
Finally, nearly 5000 ft above sea level. We arrived at the campground
Unfortunately, this place appeared to have gone through drought season....... not many insects around
The only mantis found was a nymph of B. mexicanus at the restroom
So after spending only 1 hour we decided to go to Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge. THat place is full of insects.
As soon as I stepped on the pavement at the entrance there was a male S. limbata
Many S. limbata females spotted, some even on the pavement
and around the bush next to the pavement
More S limbata female spotted
This place probably has the highest population of Yersiniops and Litanuetria I have ever seen, but unfortunately the same go to rattler snakes as well so always have to watch our steps. A beautiful place worth visiting. I end up spending most of my time on the last day there.
http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Buenos_Aires/about.html
That pretty much wrap up my collecting experience here. There are many more insects and animals I didn't take picture of. Too many actually. BUt here are some of the random pics i still remember where (and why) i took it
A cute narrow mouth toad found near the border
Tim messing around with the vine snake..... watch out dude!
Tarantula crossing has been a common sight this trip
SOmetimes slow catepillar try their luck crossing the road too
An ooth found at Arivaca that looks fresh.
One of the Western horse lubber crossing the road
A panorama view enroute to Sycamore Canyon
Found around Madera Cayon
Good bye Arizona..... hope to come back again
This place probably has the highest population of Yersiniops and Litanuetria I have ever seen, but unfortunately the same go to rattler snakes as well so always have to watch our steps. A beautiful place worth visiting. I end up spending most of my time on the last day there.
http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Buenos_Aires/about.html
That pretty much wrap up my collecting experience here. There are many more insects and animals I didn't take picture of. Too many actually. BUt here are some of the random pics i still remember where (and why) i took it
A cute narrow mouth toad found near the border
Tim messing around with the vine snake..... watch out dude!
Tarantula crossing has been a common sight this trip
SOmetimes slow catepillar try their luck crossing the road too
An ooth found at Arivaca that looks fresh.
One of the Western horse lubber crossing the road
A panorama view enroute to Sycamore Canyon
Found around Madera Cayon
Good bye Arizona..... hope to come back again
Awesome, plenty to provide many new nymphs.
Very beautiful country, the cacti are a interesting sight (especially to those who don't see them daily).
I wondered though about the collecting allowed in the National Forests and such. Seems Arizona has no problem for individuals collecting insects, as the article I found states. I know though in my state most of the DNR/Park rangers can be real royal pains in the behind, so I don't even bother - seems it is up to the individual states the parks are located in regards to their rules.
As you flew in and out of Arizona, did you take the mantids with you on the plane or ship them to yourself at home? I asked to see what is the protocol/guidelines to get them back home after such a trip myself.
mantisman 230
Well-known member
Very nice finds. I wonder how well the breeding for each will be shame you didn't find any unicorns, but I suppose they are clever critters to remain hidden.
shame you didn't find any unicorns, but I suppose they are clever critters to remain hidden.
Yea I hope so. I didn't collect all the adult females I came across though, and so as the adult male, but I might be regretting it soon after a closer look at Yersiniops that I collected might appear to be of two different species.Awesome, plenty to provide many new nymphs.
Very beautiful country, the cacti are a interesting sight (especially to those who don't see them daily).
I wondered though about the collecting allowed in the National Forests and such. Seems Arizona has no problem for individuals collecting insects, as the article I found states. I know though in my state most of the DNR/Park rangers can be real royal pains in the behind, so I don't even bother - seems it is up to the individual states the parks are located in regards to their rules.
As you flew in and out of Arizona, did you take the mantids with you on the plane or ship them to yourself at home? I asked to see what is the protocol/guidelines to get them back home after such a trip myself.
It's alright to collect in the national forest, but not national park, or wildlife refuge center.
I flew with the mantis.
I assumed most if not all the adult females should have been mated in the wild this time of the season.Very nice finds. I wonder how well the breeding for each will be
Yea AZ unicorn eluded me again. But then there'll be something for me to hope for the next time I go
I was told by a member here about the difference in Yersiniops collected when i posted some pics on FB. I didn't pay much attention at first but when I set the Yersiniops up at home I started to see differences.
This is the pic taken when both Yersiniops are being fed.
Placing it side by side. You can see the one on the left has wider and shorter pronotum, while the one on the right has longer and slender pronotum.
Here are another two photos showing the differences. THe one on left has wider head and less pointy eyes while the right one has narrower head and "longer" pointy eyes.
This is interesting to me........
This is the pic taken when both Yersiniops are being fed.
Placing it side by side. You can see the one on the left has wider and shorter pronotum, while the one on the right has longer and slender pronotum.
Here are another two photos showing the differences. THe one on left has wider head and less pointy eyes while the right one has narrower head and "longer" pointy eyes.
This is interesting to me........
mantisman 230
Well-known member
hmmm interesting...
I hope so as well. I see what you mean with the Yersiniops species. It's great you got two species, but hopefully there is enough of each to bred.
Thanks for the clarification. I'll have to do some searching to see where I can collect some ootheca this year if nothing else (and do more searching for details for next summer).
It is old, but the book by Helfer describes both species. On the right you have Y. sophronicum, "Yersin's ground mantis". On the left is Y. solitarium "Horned ground mantis". On your next trip you will need to find S. gracilipes as well. Don't think that one has been kept yet.
mantiseater
Well-known member
A few years ago didn't u get s gracilipes but didn't know exactly wat it was at the time?
spider_creations
Well-known member
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I live in AZ and love the spots you talked thought I was the only one who knew about them :lol:
:lol: 
ns22
Well-known member
In the large picture where there is supposedly an S. limbata male, where is it? I saw a small shadow on a reed, in the bottom right center, about an inch from the frame (Is that it?) Also, a few of these mantids look like I. oratoria, especially one of the males on the pavement. Great pics overall, though. Also, how did you get the mantis on a plane?
Also, how did you get the mantis on a plane?
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In the large picture where there is supposedly an S. limbata male, where is it? I saw a small shadow on a reed, in the bottom right center, about an inch from the frame (Is that it?) Also, a few of these mantids look like I. oratoria, especially one of the males on the pavement. Great pics overall, though.
ns22
Well-known member
Thank you!
