Green form Phyllocrania paradoxa

[LAME]

Lol they indeed dance, sometimes a bit more than you'd like while trying to get a good photo lol...

I also had nymbit and cyprus from L2 but traded dmina cyprus in exchange for a female, definitely will attempt to breed when timings right and will let you know the status.

I really wish I could get ahold of a batch of moths and butterflies myself, but Illinois is still locked down with winter weather and don't think anyone here breeds them... Let alone know if they'd even make a 2-3 day trip through the mail.

 

[dmina]

I know I keep looking for something different to feed them.. feel like they might get bored.. but I guess what we are feeding is better then nothing... I had some seed moths going a couple months back... man... the mantis loved the larvae... they turned to moths... and bred... but no new larvae as of yet... I will let you know if something shows up again..

Really keeping my fingers crossed that I can breed them.. as they are a favorite!

 

[dmina]

Also live in Tucson, and the weather has been in the 70's during the day, and not too cold at night - will work on collecting moths from some lights outside to give both mantids some flying treats. There are also butterflies out during the day, and think they would work well also. Hesitated to say this, since you all still have winter. Instead of that we get blazing hot from May-September, and since I do not like cold, it is fine with me. This time of year of SoCal weather, clear blue skies and warm.It is wonderful to chat mantids with you both, and I am really glad I joined the group. Since I am a newbie, know I will pester you both with questions, and would always like to hear how your mantids are doing. Thanks again.

No pestering.. ask away.. love to talk mantids.. and happy to help all I can.. very new to this myself!

And do you happen to have a spare room or 2? I love Arizona.. would move there in a heartbeat!... I have been there 3 times so far.. Just have to find a way to get there permanently!

I am glad you found the group also...So glad you like to talk! now all we need is some pics from you! Looking forward to those babies coming...

 

[randa4]

Can't wait to get my Ghosta ad start taking pics! Denise, your photo album is wonderful, and really liked the Creo female and ooth.

LAME, your comment is also part of my plan. I have reared butterflies and moths for years, and there are some species I might be able to breed and send you guys pupae. It will be a fun experiment. There is also a very common sphinx moth (Hyles lineata) White-Lined Morning Sphinx that is very easy to rear. They do come out big for a mantis, but perhaps not too big for a large adult. If I keep the caterpillars a little hungry, I can stunt them a bit so they'd be smaller. Butterflies might be a little easier - Giant Swallowtails are common, and the adults have big wings, but a nice, smaller body that is definitely mantis size. I will work on it, starting later this month. Be fun to share these and see how they work.

 

[randa4]

P.S. The ones I would rear will pupate and come out in a couple of weeks. Easy to care for.

 

[randa4]

Thanks, Denise

I love Tucson-been coming here since 1971, and knew it was the place I wanted to retire. Been here a year, and it couldn't be better. My house is pretty small, and the second bedroom is now a mantis-poison dart from room, but please come and visit. It is a wonderful place.

Will work on getting some moth and butterfly pupae as it gets warmer here. We'll see.

Pics of Ghosts and Violins coming soon. :shifty:

 

[LAME]

Heck yeah, I'd definitely buy some my man =)

Any and all sizes welcome here, I don't discriminate. Every insect gets the equal opportunity to be fed off to one of my Lovelies.

XD

 

[dmina]

Good luck with the moths & butterflies... sound interesting...

Also looking forward to photo's of both...

 

[randa4]

Ghosts got here this morning! All are fine. Two green females and three brown guys. They are so cool! Giving them a quiet day with a little misting, since they are probably a little tired from traveling.

Another two of the Violins have molted from L3-L4- amazing to see how much bigger they are after hardening up.

Pics coming soon.

 

[dmina]

Glad they made it safely... can't wait for an update..