Gongylus gongylodes - Violin Mantis Molt Videos

[Precarious]

Adult Male Violin Mantis - Fresh Molt

Male Gongylus gongylodes molts into adult. Notice that he either fell and grabbed onto the leaf or he stepped from the old skin onto the leaf. Either way this is a good example of why your enclosure should have something other than just a screen for a mantid to grasp. Best to have something between the lid and the floor in case they fall or require a lower perch while molting - especially for larger species.

Pretty funny the way he wags hit rump around!

Soundtracks by Precarious :walkman:

 

[Precarious]

Young Violin Mantis Molts (Time-Lapse)

I think this was a molt into pre-sub-adult. A little hazy because it's shot through plastic tank.

 

[angelofdeathzz]

You did it! time lapse of a molt -SWEET. all of the videos are very well done.

 

[Precarious]

You did it! time lapse of a molt -SWEET. all of the videos are very well done.

As per your request.

 

[nickyp0]

nice i love these guys, i hope mine hatch out soon

 

[LauraMG]

Very nice!

 

[angelofdeathzz]

As per your request.

National Geographic was at my house looking for you!

 

[angelofdeathzz]

Glad to hear your bad molt wasn't as tragic as mine. :hang: :wacko:

 

[Precarious]

Glad to hear your bad molt wasn't as tragic as mine. :hang: :wacko:

Last night I was up till 4 am recording a violin female molting into adult. I caught the whole process from start to finish! You can see the split develop on her back which was facing the camera, to the unfolding of the wings. I'll post that soon.

 

[eur0pein]

i cant ever see my ghost mantis moult they always do it at night and the one that i had a chance at seeing was whale i was at walmart getting stuff. <_< :angry: but nice videos i have never seen a green violin mantis before i thaught they where brown. :huh:

 

[Seattle79]

I always like your Mantis videos. Great work.

-Kevin

 

[Precarious]

i cant ever see my ghost mantis moult they always do it at night and the one that i had a chance at seeing was whale i was at walmart getting stuff.

You need to be an unemployed night owl like me! You'll see molts then. Actually one of my Idolos just molted at 2 in the afternoon! That's a bold species.

i have never seen a green violin mantis before i thaught they where brown. :huh:

The violins vary from light yellow/green to tan to brown. It's different for each individual and their colors shift even between molts. Sometimes you can use that an an indicator they are about to molt. The wings are yellow at first then fade to brown over the following days.

I love my violins. No nearly as hard to keep as you'd think.

 

[angelofdeathzz]

Don't let Precarious fool you! he told me his tricks, he tells them "MOLT NOW or I'll dip you in chocolate and sell you as candy to the Europeans!!! :tt2:

 

[Precarious]

Don't let Precarious fool you! he told me his tricks, he tells them "MOLT NOW or I'll dip you in chocolate and sell you as candy to the Europeans!!! :tt2:

SHHhhhhhhh!!!

angelofdeathzz was only joking. Don't try that. It doesn't work. I swear!