Described species

[Synapze]

Someone has told me that Parasphendale agrionina is not a "described species in the hobby". Does anyone know what this means?  

 

[MantisGirl13]

Um, I don't know what they mean exactly, but it sounds like they are not very experienced. I think they mean that it is not a species in the hobby, but that is wrong. That's my answer. Ask them!

- MantisGirl13

 

[Synapze]

He said he has 10 years in mantis keeping. I posted a pic of an L3-5 Parasphendale agrionina that I recently acquired. It doesn't really matter to me, it's a great little mantis and I'm happy with it, I just don't want to be embarrassed by misidentification.

The response:

I'm confused.

 

[River Dane]

He’s a fantastic mantis keeper, so anything he says I’d trust. He’s studying mantids under his university. 

I believe it means the species you have is not agrionina. It’s something else that is not officially described, so it doesn’t have its scientific name yet. You can just ask him though, because I could be way off. I’ve talked to him before, and he’s very happy to answer any questions!

 

[Synapze]

@River Dane I trust your trust in him.

 

[MantisGirl13]

Oh, I know what he's taking about! He wasn't talking about P. agrionina, you don't have that sp. You have Parasphendale stali. It is more well-known as Parasphendale sp. Kenya. I have an adult pair. 

This species' common name is the Giant Kenya Budwing Mantis and it gets HUGE! Adult females are as big as or bigger than an adult Hierodula. This species has oversized raptors and a more rounded head shape.

- MantisGirl13

 

[hysteresis]

Feed me!

 

[MantisGirl13]

Feed me!

She is a hungry beast, but also the biggest scaredy cat ever! She will throw a HUGE threat pose at a toothpick of honey and then run away. Apparently 1/2 inch dubias are really scary too.

- MantisGirl13