Creos, shields, and more creos...OH MY!

[LauraMG]

Manny molted today, and I caught him right at the end. I can't really tell if he's subadult yet, but I'm thinking he's got one more before subadult status.

My male orchid decided to turn pink overnight

 

[hibiscusmile]

gotta love em! They are a big hit the creos, and a lot of people rather have the wahllies, but I prefer the creos, so much more lively!

 

[LauraMG]

gotta love em! They are a big hit the creos, and a lot of people rather have the wahllies, but I prefer the creos, so much more lively!

I really like the creos! The extra that you sent me is one of my favorite! Ghostie actually sent me another one with the female orchid, so I have........9 creobroters in 2 varieties! :lol: They're fun!

 

[Ghostie]

I have one creo left from Yen.

They are cool lil guys. I think I will have to ship this one out to somebody too so it has a chance. Probably should have sent you both of them but this one just finished molting and wasn't hardened up yet when I Sent the package.

They're like an orchid mantis crossed with a tiny flower spider or something.

 

[LauraMG]

So, Ironhide (c. gemmatus) molted into adulthood last night! Here's a couple shots of when she was pumping her wings out. Sorry they're not super sharp, they were taken through the plastic enclosure.

 

[LauraMG]

And here she is as a finished product!

 

[Seattle79]

Very nice collection you got there LG.

-Kevin

 

[LauraMG]

Very nice collection you got there LG.

-Kevin

Thanks Kevin! I love them all!

 

[LauraMG]

One of my Rhombodera sp. nymphs has turned a different shade then all the others since his/her last molt. It is now a pleasant brown color with red and green highlights whereas all the others are still bright green. Just thought I would share!

 

[lancaster1313]

Beautiful! I love a multicolored mantid.

 

[LauraMG]

And now for the adult male orchid! He's awesome looking! He molted much more brown and yellow than I anticipated. I can't wait to see what the female looks like as an adult!

 

[LauraMG]

New Gonatista grisea babies!

 

[LauraMG]

Sticking the claws out. I assume it's a counterbalance thing because it always does it when I'm moving the container.

Stunning pink! I can't take enough pictures of these guys!

L1 ghosts

On the end of the feeding tongs

 

[MantidLord]

Awesome pics, but I always thought it was a defensive/camo maneuver because it's being disturbed. Love the orchid!

 

[LauraMG]

I hadn't thought about it being that. Interesting thought! They're such frisky runners if you freak them out too much! :lol:

 

[LauraMG]

I have noticed that my shields all seem to molt in strange places! They don't all hang from the top. I had one molt in a tiny cup on the way to a trade (normally!) and I caught this one molting off the side of the cup! Not the top, but the side. Never a dull day!

 

[myzticalboi]

B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L.....

 

[shorty]

Very nice photos and beautiful mantids!

 

[LauraMG]

Very nice photos and beautiful mantids!

Thanks! I love 'em. I baby talk to them like they're puppies or something, and my boyfriend just sits and stares....

 

[shorty]

Thanks! I love 'em. I baby talk to them like they're puppies or something, and my boyfriend just sits and stares....

Haha, I get enough weird looks from friends just for having them. Couldn't imagine what they'd do if I started talking to them like a kid or a dog.

By the way, what camera and lens are you using?