First Wallie

[RevWillie]

I have my first P. wahlbergii - and I really want more! (hint hint) I think it is around L3 and with my lousy vision lately I thought it was mostly black/dark with a little white.

Imagine my surprise when I took pictures yesterday!

 

[agent A]

Hes lookin good!!!

 

[sinensispsyched]

I think that is L4. At L3 they are black with white spots, and at L5 they get their white/green coloration. Yours is smack dab in the middle.

 

[twolfe]

RevWillie, you should have submitted an image for the calendar!

Very cute. Sinensispsyched is right. That is not an L3. The antennae is more striped at L4 and the spikes are bigger.

 

[Mvalenz]

Beautiful little mantis.

 

[RevWillie]

Thanks for the help - I thought it might be L4 but wasn't sure, it has shed twice since I got it.

 

[RevWillie]

Any idea if it's a boy or a girl?

 

[agent A]

well i must say at first i thought it was male but now i think i was wrong

it's a female!!

 

[lancaster1313]

Looks like a girl.

 

[Mr. Hyde]

Looks like a beautiful young lady to me I've got a male that just molted to L4 or L5. Cutest little guys!

 

[sally]

very beautiful! i think this will be my next mantis choice

 

[sinensispsyched]

Yeah, my favorite species for sure!

Aggressive like a sphodro.

Beautiful, like an orchid.

Yet easy, QUITE unlike the hassle of orchids.

 

[ismart]

Walbergii are pain to sex. I may be able able to help with a future mate.

 

[RevWillie]

She shed to L5 last Saturday night - here are her new colors:

 

[sally]

wow! stunning

 

[sinensispsyched]

Do you have two wallies? If so, then use a magnifier on L3 (few spines to confuse you) or any instar, and look at the tip of the abdomen. With males, you can clearly tiny segments at the tip of the abdom. On females, you should see a large segment at the tip and no tiny segments at the end.

 

[sinensispsyched]

Oh, and the best angle to shoot their segments is from behind, looking down at the abdomen slightly, so that the tip of the abdomen is visible.

 

[hierodula]

Thats a female