Hello everyone! I've only ever kept locally caught species, but I've always been interested in exotic mantis. Until not too long ago I wasn't aware that people kept exotics as pets/in private collections, but since finding out some do I've been researching, and I'm hoping to one day have an exotic mantis. Aesthetically, I think that Pseudempusa pinnapavonis is my favorite, so that's my big future goal. As an individual I'm a young college student majoring in biology, and thinking about specializing in herpetology. I've always loved insects, so at a very young age I ran around telling people I wanted to be an entomologist. I sometimes still consider it, but it seems that most of the jobs people get with degrees in entomology aren't that interesting to me. I'm trying to keep my options though. I look forward to getting to know all of you, and learn more about exotic mantids, so that I can one day reach my goal.
Here are some pictures I've taken over the past 4-5 years of what I find locally. I believe all are Iris oratoria. I use to see the California mantis, but I moved to a new area in 2006, so now these are the only guys I ever see.
Here are some pictures I've taken over the past 4-5 years of what I find locally. I believe all are Iris oratoria. I use to see the California mantis, but I moved to a new area in 2006, so now these are the only guys I ever see.