Color Changing Mantises?

[aomantids]

Hi All,

I've had some people locally try to tell me they've seen either European or Carolina Mantises change colors, the brown to green range, based on what type of plant the mantis is on. I've raised both species for some time now and have never witnessed this. Have any of you? Do you know of any manits species that do change color like chameleons?

Thanks,

Al

 

[Ntsees]

From what I know, I have not heard of mantids that can change colors like a chameleon. You probably misunderstood or were misinformed. Mantids can, however, change colors to match the plant they are on through molts. This color range will only be limited to what the mantid can do. For instance, a European mantid cannot turn blue. It can become green, yellow, or brown (and variations of each).

 

[Rick]

Mantids don't change colors at will. Often when a mantis molts it will be a different color after the molt though.

 

[minard734]

Mantids can, however, change colors to match the plant they are on through molts.

That sounds about right.

 

[psyconiko]

Ok i have a mantis species that is usually green with some slight variations in tones when adult.

I noticed some nymphs around midstage showing a complete red color.I was surprised and decided to isolate those red ones so they wont get eaten by the other ones and I could therefore enjoy these beautiful red colors.

I check my mantis all the time,and after just a week the red specimens started to turn back to green(blended at first then totally green!!)and this before any molt!

The red adults I have were not isolated and grew up with many others that stayed green.

I am very confused but to me it seems that the temperature and the level of light may be in cause.

I am still convinced genes are playing the main role in the general color of mantids.

So,epigenetics???

 

[jrh3]

molting would be the only change in color. from each molt they could change.

 

[mantiscraze]

The color change was probably due to new growth. Newly molted mantids will show a lighter or different shade and as time go by, the color will darken/stabilize, etc. Unless you see them change color back and forth, then no, they can't shift color.

There are stick insects that do have the ability to change color according to surroundings, e.g., B. scabrinota, T. californica.

It's not impossible for mantids to do the same, but so far, I've not heard of any.

 

[psyconiko]

Yes I am trying to go back and forth with colors see if it is possible.

 

[Ntsees]

Yes I am trying to go back and forth with colors see if it is possible.

I recommend you do it in an outside environment as if the mantid was actually living on the plant in the wild but is enclosed. The results of color change through molts are somehow more evident for me when done that way.

 

[brown]

I have noticed that all the male mantids changed color depending on their surrounding after a molt. From different shades of green, brown and even yellow. The females however refuse to change color. I really want a blue mantis...

 

[lancaster1313]

Many of my mantids, male and female, have gradual color changes in between and after their molts. I have also noticed that with Stagmomantis carolina mantids, there are many more color variations in females. Most of my S. carolina males end up looking very similar to eachother. This is when they are raised indoors.

 

[Orin]

S, pretiosa molt out with brown wings and then a few weeks later the wings change to green. That's as close as you'd get to a chameleon-like color change.

 

[CoolMantid]

I have seen a green, dark brown, and light brown Chinese mantis nymph outside. They can change colors after a molt to match their soroundings

 

[aomantids]

Thanks to everyone for your feedback.

What a great site!

Al

 

[xxdreamchas3r913]

yea i've always wondered about what was the actual reason behind the color variation! always just assumed it was something to do with surroundings when they molted! for the most part, whenever i find one in the wild, their color usually has to do with where they lived and if they are younger, they usually change to a lighter brown or beige if i keep them in a transparent container, which i always do if i end up catching them. dont think i ever had a mantid that i raised from a younger instar to adulthood that didn't end up turning light brown or beige..the only time i would actually have a green or dark brown one would be when i caught it in subadult or a bit younger and was already that color. would love to know the real science behind this tho!

 

[mantiscraze]

Lack of UV exposure probably affect CB mantis color for certain species.

 

[Frey]

Guys if u wanna get light colours ( orange, yellow, pinky ) feed your cocroaches and crickets by the carrot and then feed mantis

its working

also colour of mantis most of species is genetic, no depended of light etc.

for example : Clinia humeralis : sub adult I had blue/ brown mixed, adult turned into green : 5 other females did the same