Female Idolo flight videos

[Precarious]

Between oothecas the female Idolomantis diabolica will try to fly to a new area to lay the next ooth. Such a large insect has to warm up the muscles that drive the wings before attempting to take off, as you'll see in the video. They don't get very far due to their weight but in the wild they'd be climbing to the top of a large tree. Launch from that height would allow them to travel a more substantial distance. But in this scenario, since they have virtually no lift, it's only the thrust supplied by the wings pushing them a little further than they can jump.

You'll also get a chance to see the habitat I setup by my window with a ficus tree and a vine leading to branches I have mounted above the window to satisfy their desire to climb as high as possible. You may also notice ooths here and there on the ficus and other branches.

 

[Precarious]

Long warmup for a short flight. Then she gets p!ssed at me as if I had something to do with it!

Videos of male Idolo flight next...

 

[gripen]

I think we all know idols arnt the smartest of mantids.

 

[Precarious]

I think we all know idols arnt the smartest of mantids.

Nor the most graceful...

But they ARE the coolest species on the planet! unk:

 

[Termite48]

Nice Henry. I just received my shipment of Idolo L-2s from NY. I am so jazzed to get to raise them now. Unfortunately only half are mine.

These are very educational little videos you have shared. I had no idea this is what they can do in captivity.

Rich

 

[gripen]

At least they are not as disgraceful as Chinese. Sigh.

 

[angelofdeathzz]

The first video I just hate to see, makes me think did she just splat open?

The next vid is cool! if you have one in each corner you don't need a fan.

 

[Precarious]

The first video I just hate to see, makes me think did she just splat open?

Thank God they don't do this when they're gravid!

 

[lunarstorm]

Wow! Awesome videos. Idolos might have just replaced orchids at the top of my wishlist. I've noticed some say their orchid females are "boring" but I've never seen the word "boring" associated with an idolo!

 

[Precarious]

Wow! Awesome videos. Idolos might have just replaced orchids at the top of my wishlist. I've noticed some say their orchid females are "boring" but I've never seen the word "boring" associated with an idolo!

The more freedom you give them the more interesting they get. Same applies to Orchids. They become a different animal when given space to stretch out and explore outside of an enclosure. People that don't handle their mantids much are missing half the fun. If these guys were in a tank you wouldn't see any of these behaviors. Even small species will fly as soon as you bring them out of their enclosure, but until you do they seem to have no desire to. Mantids are generally very accepting of their environment. They just go with it. I'm always interested to see how they react to (near) complete freedom. In most cases they really come to life.

Nearly all the flight in the above videos took place at night. One of the girls would climb as high as possible and fly every night at around midnight for almost a week. It was fun to experience.

 

[Skylineblinkfan]

Great videos! It really makes me want an idolo.

 

[giesle]

These are some of the best mantis videos I have seen. I really want and Idolo now. I've seen many pictures of them, but I guess I didn't realize how beautiful they were(or cool) until the video.

 

[animalexplorer]

Awesome videos! This species is far from boring and "Yes!" one of the coolest species on the planet.

 

[minard734]

NICE!

 

[sporeworld]

Great work! As always. Your laugh at the end of the one, was priceless.

My males fly all the time when I let them out. I've been too paranoid to let the females try (they weigh a ton!).

Keep up the good work!