G-Unit

[knollhawk]

This is G-Unit. He hopped on my leg in Home Depot and it was destiny. I think he's a Chinese mantis...I'm new to this whole thing. Would never have gotten into it if he didn't hop on my leg that day. Anyway I've had him since 6/27/10 and he has molted twice. I feed him pet store crickets. When I first got him he was green, and after his molts he is now a light brown color. I do have some questions though about him and this hobby, if anyone could answer that would really help me out.

1. Sometimes G-Unit seems to "vibrate"...whats that about?

2. What is the process for getting into selling mantids? How would I set up online payments, etc. Are Chinese Mantids even a good idea to sell at this point? I know there's some controversy with population control, etc.

3. Are all young Chinese Mantids green? I just got another one and it's small and green. I really need help with differentiating instar stages, the research I've been doing isn't making it clear for me.

Thanks and enjoy the photos

 

[LauraMG]

Well I'll give it to you, I don't let my mantids on my face! It freaks me out!

The vibration is just something they do. I notice mine do it more right before and right after a molt.

Not all Chinese are green when young then brown, mine was brown from the start and has developed darker brown with a bit of green on her wings.

As for the breeding, I don't know much about it. But whether selling or buying, you should setup a PayPal account first and foremost. Easiest way to send payments and receive them over the internet.

I'm glad you've gotten into mantids! It seems like G-Unit has a great home! I started with a Chinese ooth as a fun thing for my son and now I have 4 pet mantids and 5 more on the way!

 

[Mr.Mantid]

Welcome to the forum.

 

[hibiscusmile]

Isn't that special? They just seem to know who will love em! welcome and check out the latest updates on chinese mantis in the general mantis post!

 

[tikki]

That face in the last photo is just priceless, I love it! Such a fateful meeting, too. Congrats on the find!

 

[Rick]

Welcome.

 

[ismart]

Welcome to the forum!

 

[lancaster1313]

Welcome. :lol: I just had a chinese mantis molt to L5, it looks about the same size as G-Unit. Its name is Greenbean. If I am correct, L5 means that it has molted 4 times in its life. I suppose that sizes can vary as well. I don't have much experience, so I will welcome any correcting posts.

 

[knollhawk]

Thanks everyone! As for my newest one (which I also found and seems to be a mischief maker), it seems to have an injury on its abdomen along the dark red/brown stripe on the side. I took a few entomology courses last semester, and I was wondering, maybe it's a messed up spiracle? The swelling in the side of the segment seems to fluctuate. Anyway, it still seems to be doing fine, just a little more frantic than G-Unit (probably because G-Unit and I were clearly meant for each other ) Hopefully I'll have pictures up of the new one in a few days. Check back