does anybody know...

[ABbuggin]

Does anybody knkow anything about the mantis sp. Geomantis larvoides?

I am thinking about getting some.

Thanks,

AB

 

[Ian]

I have an ootheca coming...maybe I can fill you in soon!

 

[ABbuggin]

Thanks.

Do you happen to know thier size, life span and so on. I really know nothing about this particualr species at all. :?

Thanks,

AB

 

[Christian]

Hi.

Geomantis larvoides is a Mediterranean species, rather rare indeed, I wonder where the ooth is from. It lives mostly on the ground in hot places and both genders are small and wingless. It can be easily confounded with larvae of other species. The color ist greyish-brown. They have one generation per year and need a moderate winter diapause in the ooth.

I did not find any this year despite of intensive searching. The species seems to be distributed rather locally, though. The breeding is not easy, you need high temperatures (about 40°C and more) and have to separate them early due to cannibalism. The culture resembles that of Eremiaphila to some extent, except that they do not run as fast, need also twigs in the cage, and temperatures not as hot as in Eremiaphila (but nevertheless hot!).

Regards,

Christian

 

[ABbuggin]

Thanks Christian,

I am a little confused about when you said they "need a moderate winter diapause in the ooth"

AB

 

[Rick]

Thanks Christian, I am a little confused about when you said they "need a moderate winter diapause in the ooth"

AB

The ooth needs a cold period.

 

[jandl2204]

They are commonly sold on http://www.terraristik.com/sticklist/anzeigen.html , I know of a handful of Europeans who have offered them to me. Particularly one Italian.

Lee

 

[Shelbycsx]

What time frame would you consider "moderate"?? Thanks!

 

[Christian]

Hi.

The time frame would be the same as in other Mediterranean species, something like November to February. "Moderate" was applied to the temperatures, which should be cold, but not freezy (2-10°C). Other time and temperature scales may also work, but as Mediterranean species are rather difficult to breed, no much experience is available on this issue.

Regards,

Christian

 

[ABbuggin]

Thanks for all of the info!

 

[Shelbycsx]

Thanks for the reply Christian! Does anyone know of a source that I can learn more about what specifics each species requires regarding temps, times, etc.. In other words, whats the most comprehensive guide available? Thanks in advance!

 

[Christian]

Hi.

There is a German book called "Mantiden - Faszinierende Lauerjäger" (something like "Mantids - Fascinating Ambush Hunters"), which deals with most species kept until 2001. As it's in German, this may be a problem, but it is the best guide I know of so far available over here. There are some faults in it, but it is nevertheless a recommandable book. I do not know of any English book which is as sophisticated, what does of course not mean that there may not exist one. I am just not aware of it.

Regards,

Christian

 

[yen_saw]

THere is a nice pic of this species in the following link

http://aramel.free.fr/INSECTES8%27.shtml

I found this one in yahoo search (use translation for english), a little info of this species. Interesting small species.

http://champignon.champyves.free.fr/FicsHtml/I_Geomantis.htm

 

[Christian]

The first link shows a photo of G. larvoides. The second one offers some true info, but the photos show larvae of M. religiosa, not G. larvoides.

Regards,

Christian

 

[yen_saw]

Yes that's right, the pics on second links show european mantis instead, very misleading.