First timer from SoCal

[melonberries]

Hello! Long time amateur naturalist, first time insect keeper here. After finding a lovely female mantis in my apple tree a few weeks ago I got attached and decided to adopt her (having a spacious terrarium lying around to use). I still can't ID her species but I found an ootheca when I got home today! Please excuse my lack of knowledge on the hobby and correct me if I unintentionally do anything I'm not supposed to, as I'm still researching and I wouldn't want any avoidable harm to come to my pet regardless of her being in the last few weeks of her life cycle.

Gertrude says hi upside down (bad photo quality sorry). I'm thinking either S. californica/limbata or Iris oratoria. Thoughts?        

 

[MantisGirl13]

Welcome to the forum! I believe that is a stagmomantis limbata, but I could be wrong. She is a beauty!

- MantisGirl13 

 

[Synapze]

Welcome!  

 

[Mantis Lady]

Welcome and I hope the ooth fertile so you will be getting mantis babies

 

[hysteresis]

Welcome! Glad you're with us!

 

[hibiscusmile]

Welcome, nice lady you have there, She most likely is fertile! God Bless

 

[melonberries]

Thanks, everyone! The underside of my girl's upper forearms are orange, if that helps distinguish the species. I can't get a good look at the mouthparts and I've never seen her wings. I'd like to try to overwinter the ooth to see if it hatches in the spring (just in case) but I'm nervous about moving it since it is attached to the lid of the terrarium instead of a stick. For some reason she hates being anywhere except hanging from the ceiling.

 

[hysteresis]

For some reason she hates being anywhere except hanging from the ceiling.

Basically any captive mantis in an enclosure .

 

[MrGhostMantis]

I would say Iris Oratoria.

Edit: Forgot to say welcome to the forums so...

WELCOME TO THE FORUMS!!!

 

[5Via]

Welcome, hope everything goes well with your pretty girl!