Ghost Mantid nymphs (L2-L3)

[yeatzee]

I just got my ghost nymphs from davedood, so I decided to take them outside and get some pics. Man these guys are amazing! (excuse the blurred antennas....they move ridiculously fast.)

Im so glad I finally got these guys...they were well worth the wait

 

[hibiscusmile]

lovely, lovely, lovely

 

[Kruszakus]

It's actually shocking to me how strong those are - L3 can tackle small waxmoths, and green bottle flies! Something that Sybilla L6 have problems with!

 

[yeatzee]

They are currently feeding on D. Hydei exclusively but I hope by next molt to spice up their diet. I do want to stick to flying insects only though.

I must say, they are incredibly fun taking pictures of, lol. (Even though they never seem to sit still :lol: )

 

[Katnapper]

(Even though they never seem to sit still :lol: )

Just wait until they get a little older lol! :lol: They will sit still for you all you want!

 

[yeatzee]

:lol:

How do you guys think I'm progressing picture wise?

 

[kamakiri]

I must say, they are incredibly fun taking pictures of, lol. (Even though they never seem to sit still :lol: )How do you guys think I'm progressing picture wise?

LOL yeah they never sit still! I *always* regret the times when I choose to remove the entire lid to try to get one out or transferred!

Pictures look good...keep on shooting!

The only thing I don't understand is; what is with all the different crop sizes and aspect ratios?

 

[whamslam3]

ghost mantid nymphs look awsome when they are all compacted like that. gl

 

[revmdn]

Those photos are swell.

 

[yeatzee]

Thanks for the kind compliments everyone!

Kamakiri, I'm not really sure why I did that..... just whatever size said picture looked best in I guess :lol:

On another note, I had an L2 take a house fly today

 

[yeatzee]

I was told you can sex Phyllocrania Paradoxa nymphs by their crowns.....

Male?

 

[yeatzee]

BTW the orange stuff is pollen

 

[Katnapper]

BTW the orange stuff is pollen

What did you do.... give him a bath in it? :lol:

 

[yeatzee]

Ha, well she was chasing a few wild flies in my garden B)

 

[Katnapper]

Ha, well she was chasing a few wild flies in my garden B)

I think "she's" a "he."

 

[yeatzee]

Oops, hrmmm might have gotten the two confused that I let out....

btw, Im loving the macro lens! I am now going to buy a set of bellows and a 28mm prime lens for 5:1 the old fashion way to compliment it!

 

[Kruszakus]

Oops, hrmmm might have gotten the two confused that I let out.... btw, Im loving the macro lens! I am now going to buy a set of bellows and a 28mm prime lens for 5:1 the old fashion way to compliment it!

From L3/L4 you can distinguish sexes just by looking at the thingy protruding from the head - in case of males is a bit slimmer, and more "zig-zag-ish".

The one sitting on the flower is a male.

 

[PhilinYuma]

Oops, hrmmm might have gotten the two confused that I let out.... btw, Im loving the macro lens! I am now going to buy a set of bellows and a 28mm prime lens for 5:1 the old fashion way to compliment it!

Yay! A prime lens and bellows! Great way to go for Super Macro, though I think that there are a lot of photographers now, who have never even seen one! Much more flexible than tubes, too!

 

[Wojtak]

wow third photo is really amazing!! Congatulations