BFFs: Idolo & Heterochaeta (videos)

[Precarious]

Adult female Heterochaeta sp. loves hanging on the window screen with her friend, an adult female Idolomantis diabolica.

Hanging in the sun can make you thirsty...

 

[Idolofreak]

That's so funny in the 2nd vid how the Hetero climbs under the Idolo and the Idolo doesn't attack! :blink: Just proves the personalities mantids can have.

 

[kitkat39]

This song in the background would make your video complete.. ;-)

But youtube would probably cut out the audio....

 

[Precarious]

That's so funny in the 2nd vid how the Hetero climbs under the Idolo and the Idolo doesn't attack! :blink: Just proves the personalities mantids can have.

Idolo are very non-aggressive. The first time the Hetero got that close she struck at her halfheartedly just to scare her off. Now that she knows she's no threat she climbs right over her! She's on the screen with 2 of the Idolo now. I think it's funny how close she chooses to hang. They're always right next to each other.

 

[angelofdeathzz]

Leave them together for 2 days and 3 nights(even with many flies) and the Idolo will be well fed, you bet ya...

 

[MantidLord]

Does ANYONE know what that signal means or the purpose of it in the second video at :30? I see my mantids do that after a large meal or when they see another mantis, always wondered what it was but could never describe it. And awesome video man, I love comparisons of different species.

 

[sporeworld]

Another great video. Both mantids seem really docile, even for that species. Do you think it's because they're so familiar with you by now? Or is it cold outside their cages? And I really like seeing them on the screens like that. Belly to the light, as it were. Nice.

 

[Precarious]

Another great video. Both mantids seem really docile, even for that species. Do you think it's because they're so familiar with you by now? Or is it cold outside their cages? And I really like seeing them on the screens like that. Belly to the light, as it were. Nice.

Nah, it was in the high 80's today. They're just pretty mellow. Not sure if I have anything to do with it, but I'm pretty good at putting them at ease. Every now and then the Idolo get crazy and start dropping the threat pose, but that's about it. The Hereochaeta isn't aggressive at all. At first she was afraid of the Idolos because of their size but she warmed up to them pretty fast. This was only the second time she had contact with them and she's totally comfortable. She's on the screen with 2 of them right now. They seem to get along really well.

I try to give all my mantids time on the ficus at the window once they're adults. It really seems to make them happy.

I should probably point out too, that I didn't setup any of those shots. I didn't put the two of them on the screen and herd them toward each other or anything like that. They all start out on the focus and I have it set up they can get to the window if they want to. I have some loose mesh hanging over the window and the ficus butts up against it. Sometimes they climb the cord for the blinds too. That's fun to watch.

 

[patrickfraser]

I'm still listening to the beach boys and forgot what I was doing here. But I am glad all is GOOD.

 

[sporeworld]

Nice. I was thinking it might be your environment, then your post reminded me of the guy "bug Whispering" to bees and butterflies so they'd get up on your hand. Weren't those YOUR videos...?

 

[Precarious]

Nice. I was thinking it might be your environment, then your post reminded me of the guy "bug Whispering" to bees and butterflies so they'd get up on your hand. Weren't those YOUR videos...?

Um.... Yeah. That was me.

:sorcerer: You figured out my secret! :innocent:

The Bumble Bee Game (Macro Video)

The Butterfly Game (Video)

 

[sporeworld]

Ha! I knew it! Why can't I have a secret super power! It's not fair!!!

;-)

 

[lancaster1313]

Ha! I knew it! Why can't I have a secret super power! It's not fair!!!

;-)

I agree, it is not fair.

My daughter and I can get close to honeybees and pet them, (we don't have any bumblebees around here ) but butterflies won't give me the time of day unless I am not paying attention, then they sometimes bother me and fly at my face out of nowhere.