Help sexing

[Randal]

Hello All,

I tried to get the best pic of my mantis' abdomen but I have trouble getting him/her to hang upside down to get a good pic. This is the best I have so far. I count 6 maybe 7 segments but was wondering what you guys think. Thanks in advance.

Randal

 

[CosbyArt]

She has 5 segments, and the last one is much bigger, as such she is female.

See the guide here on identifying male or female, the second photo matches your mantids abdomen style.

 

[Randal]

Thanks for the clarification. I guess I need more experience.

 

[CosbyArt]

Thanks for the clarification. I guess I need more experience.

Your welcome. If you review the guide you will notice that the first (partial) segment behind the last walking legs is skipped, the count begins after that segment. Also typically the last segment is largest segment in females, and in males the last few segments tend to be smaller than their other segments (in the guide the first photo, look at segment 6 of the male - it is very small).

Experience helps with everything, and I'm always learning something new myself.

 

[Randal]

Is it common for females to lay ooths even if they don't mate? Her abdomen is getting big so I'm wondering if that's what is going on.

 

[CosbyArt]

Is it common for females to lay ooths even if they don't mate? Her abdomen is getting big so I'm wondering if that's what is going on.

Yes, all mantis females will lay ooths mated or not, and they will also produce the typical amount of ooths too. With a unfertile Chinese mantis (Tenodera sinensis), and with parthenogenesis being non-existent with that species, there is no chance of anything hatching. If you want the ooths to hatch your only option is to find a male and have them breed.

 

[Krissim Klaw]

Yep she has six segments although with a female adult mantis you don't even need to count segments since by then their ovipositer is plainly visible. Don't worry, sexing gets easier after your first couple of mantids.