Eye color change

[DefyTheNorms]

Is this a common eye color for Budwing nymphs? His eyes used to be dark brown and blended in with his body color. I noticed a couple days ago that his eyes are 3 colors now: beige color on top, dark center stripe, and white lower half. I was looking at photos and couldn't find anything that looks like this, so wondering if it's normal change? He kinda looks like a spider lol

 

[Connor]

Not sure... the eye color/pattern might change as the mantis grows and has different colors. Other then that a mantid's eye color usually always changes at night. they tend to get a more of a red color.

 

[DefyTheNorms]

Other then that a mantid's eye color usually always changes at night. they tend to get a more of a red color.

Oh I didn't know that! 

The above photo was taken this afternoon. I noticed his eyes looked "white" after his molt and it wasn't until I took photos today that I realized they were 3 different colors. Hope there' nothing wrong with him. He's still not eating very often.

 

[Connor]

I doubt the eye color has anything to do with him not eating. His eye color looks actually very cool for the fact that it blends in with his patterning.

 

[DefyTheNorms]

I doubt the eye color has anything to do with him not eating. His eye color looks actually very cool for the fact that it blends in with his patterning.

I think it looks cool too! I was just worried he was blind or something lol (I'm a worrier obviously )

 

[Connor]

Nope he's definitely not blind from what I can tell

 

[DefyTheNorms]

@Connor thanks! 

 

[CosbyArt]

@DefyTheNorms The color stripe across the eye can be normal, depending on their camouflage, and I've had many mantids with a "eye stripe".

Regarding the color change itself, they do it naturally at night (or in any low light as well). For the reason behind the natural change in color read this post. See other related posts below (or search the forum for lots more)...

 

[DefyTheNorms]

@CosbyArt Thank you!