Help with sexing Giant Shield (Rhombodera Ex.)

[CollinR]

Hello! I've been keeping Mantids for a relatively short time and I've had this shield since the start of summer. I think it's a female mostly because of its sheer size already being just about the same size as my L8 Female Giant Asians. But I wanted to see if any experts could give me a definite answer. Thank you!Instar is about L6/L7.

 

[mantisfan101]

Hmm segment count says female

 

[Connor]

Hmm segment count says female

It looked like 7 with a small ending? Thought that was a male... or am I looking at this wrong

 

[mantisfan101]

Probable male but with some leaf mimics the abdomen for females is generally thicker...

 

[CollinR]

Probable male but with some leaf mimics the abdomen for females is generally thicker...

Thank you everyone so much for the input. Great point. The Shield has been eating less and its abdomen has gotten more flat. It'll ignore and refuse food which leads me to believe it's nearing its molt. I just thought due to it being almost as large as my L8 Female Hierodulas that perhaps it was a female as well.

 

[Connor]

Honestly the only way I know how to *** a mantis is by counting segments. But I'm still not very good at that lol.

 

[CollinR]

Took a few more pictures tonight of the abdomen and overall body. 

 

[Connor]

Segments say male to me. But I have no experience with shields(although they are beautiful)

 

[CollinR]

Segments say male to me. But I have no experience with shields(although they are beautiful)

I'm thinking that might be right. He must be pretty big then for a male! Makes me wonder how large the females can get. He's probably about 3 1/2 inches. 

 

[Serle]

Positively a male , fol......... S

 

[mantisfan101]

Which species is this?

 

[CollinR]

Which species is this?

Rhombodera Extensicollis

 

[Connor]

Positively a male , fol......... S

Ehhh thanks serle. Looks like I know at least a bit on sexing lol. 

 

[CollinR]

Thank you everyone! Now I can figure out a name for this guy. He's got a lot of personality. Hope you all and your mantids are doing well over the Fall!

 

[Connor]

No problem. You guys stay well as well!