How do you *** wahlberghii's?

[pedro92]

I have 1 adult and 1 sub adult and i need to *** them so i know if i have a pair. I did search for this but my internet security blocks it cuz it has (***)ing

 

[mrblue]

the number of segments on the underside of the abdomen, as with all mantids. females have 6, males have more (i think these have 8).

also males have longer antennae. in female adults, the abdomen extends slightly further than either side of the wings (in adult males there is no abodmen visible either side of the wings), and the adult females wings are around the same length as the abdomen (when well fed the abodmen can extend past the tip of the wings). in adult males, the wings clear the tip of the abdomen (even when well fed) by around 1cm. then theres general body shape (females a bit thicker, males small and thinner, but you can only really use that if you have both geneders at hand, and you may not).

(these are p.ocellata but same goes really) subadult female:

subadult male:

hope this helps.

EDIT: ps - this pic shows the 6th 7th and 8th segments on a male nymph. in females, this whole area would be just one big 6th segment:

 

[pedro92]

Any other ways to *** them?

 

[ABbuggin]

That's really the best way to do it.