Giant Australian Mantis, HIERODULA MAJUSCULA

[Darkrai283]

[08.09.14]

Finally managed to source a subadult pair of this beautiful Hierodula sp.. I hope to be able to breed these again.

Both the male and the female moulted to adult in transit and even managed to expand their wings properly without damaging them. The only apparent 'injuries' the female seems to have are a bent antenna and small indents in the eyes. (probably was knocked around a bit while she was hardening up.

Female:

Untitled by darkrai283, on Flickr

Male:

Untitled by darkrai283, on Flickr
Untitled by darkrai283, on Flickr
Untitled by darkrai283, on Flickr

Colouration of their chest and the insides of their coxa+femur.

Untitled by darkrai283, on Flickr
Untitled by darkrai283, on Flickr

 

[papilio_]

Beautiful, wonderful eyes!

 

[Darkrai283]

[19.09.14]

Just some newer pics.
My male is the most energetic out of my collection right now but the female's pretty lethargic. The external damage to the body from moulting to adult whilst getting shipped is more visible and apparent now. I should be able to mate the female in 2-3 weeks time.

Female:
IMG_0045 by darkrai283, on Flickr
IMG_0076 by darkrai283, on Flickr
IMG_0070 by darkrai283, on Flickr


Male:
IMG_0060 by darkrai283, on Flickr
IMG_0062 by darkrai283, on Flickr
IMG_0063 by darkrai283, on Flickr

 

[Sticky]

They are gorgeous!

 

[Darkrai283]

[28.09.14]

The female died.
The top-half of her body just froze up so it seems like moulting in transit did more damage than I thought.

In the past few days, she grew more and more lethargic as she started to 'freeze-up' and her wings just kept on fraying to the sides and kept on getting stuck on her legs so I cut the bottom bit off... I froze her in the end.

Pics:
IMG_0335 by darkrai283, on Flickr
IMG_0336 by darkrai283, on Flickr
IMG_0333 by darkrai283, on Flickr

 

[Darkrai283]

[29.09.14]

Agreed to do a breeding loan.

My male in exchange for a H. mauscula ooth (if he manages to mate with the 3 females the person on the other end has)

 

[papilio_]

Sad to see, Darkrai.

... and looks a little too familiar, I've lost two in the past week as well.

Glad you got some good images though, really a beauty!!

 

[Darkrai283]

[02.12.14]

Well, 2 months later... and he had no luck. His females all died for some unknown reason.

BUT, he bought a fertile ooth from Germany and he said it hatched last week so he sent me 20, 1st instars; and here they are today.

Pics:
IMG_1461 by darkrai283, on Flickr
IMG_1465 by darkrai283, on Flickr
IMG_1478 by darkrai283, on Flickr
IMG_1480 by darkrai283, on Flickr

 

[Darkrai283]

Beautiful, wonderful eyes!

Thanks. I loved her eyes too.

They are gorgeous!

Thanks Sticky.

Sad to see, Darkrai.

... and looks a little too familiar, I've lost two in the past week as well.

Glad you got some good images though, really a beauty!!

I'm sorry to hear that papilio. Do you know how they died?

I lost her in the end of September, 2 months ago. :stuart:

Anyway, in my new post after your reply, you'll see an update to this catastrophe.

 

[papilio_]

I'm sorry to hear that papilio. Do you know how they died?
I lost her in the end of September, 2 months ago. :stuart:

Anyway, in my new post after your reply, you'll see an update to this catastrophe.

Oops ... sorry, wasn't paying attention.

But yes, I did see the update, they look wonderful!!

Lost one to dehydration I believe, not entirely sure about the other.

 

[Darkrai283]

[12.12.14]

A few are 2nd instar now.

Pics

IMG_1611 by Darkrai283, on Flickr

IMG_1625 by Darkrai283, on Flickr

IMG_1623 by Darkrai283, on Flickr

 

[Darkrai283]

[04.01.15]

A few are 3rd instar now and one of them has this beautiful colouration.

Pics

IMG_2201 by Darkrai283, on Flickr

IMG_2200 by Darkrai283, on Flickr

IMG_2210 by Darkrai283, on Flickr

 

[papilio_]

Wow, so lovely!!

And I love the lighting on the second one!

 

[CosbyArt]

Sorry Darkrai283 about your adult female. Nice to see some great shots of the nymphs. I too love the beautiful coloration on the nymph. Congrats, thanks for sharing, and enjoy your baby additions.

 

[dmina]

Really cute.. good luck with your babies... Keep us updated!

 

[idologrl]

I want these so bad!

 

[MantisMan223]

Im hoping to get some too. Although im just starting out here. I will post an ISO tomorrow once I confirm all the species id be wanting.

 

[Darkrai283]

[19.01.15]

The first male 4th instar is here. The red colouration on the raptorials are much clearer now and they're large enough to be sexed too.

IMG_2306 by Darkrai283, on Flickr
IMG_2296 by Darkrai283, on Flickr
IMG_2302 by Darkrai283, on Flickr
IMG_2288 by Darkrai283, on Flickr

 

[dmina]

Love the color... looking really good.. Love nymphs... kind of surprises you with each molt... Keep us updated..