How to Sex Idolomantis diabolica

[Precarious]

Yen turned me on to this method so I used his photos to create this reference chart.

Still pretty tough to sex them until around L5. Here is an L4 that I'm hoping is a male. As you can see it is not very cut and dry.

If anyone has a better method TO SEX NYMPHS please fill me in.

 

[PhilinYuma]

My double sawbuck says that that is a female. You can pay me when he lays his first ooth! :lol:

 

[Precarious]

My double sawbuck says that that is a female. You can pay me when he lays his first ooth! :lol:

I've had two others identify this as a male. Yen also believes it is probably a male.

I thought it was a female. Shows what I know. :mellow:

 

[PhilinYuma]

I've had two others identify this as a male. Yen also believes it is probably a male.

I thought it was a female. Shows what I know. :mellow:

If the Yen pix are identified correctly, since it only has five spikes, I don't see how it can be a male. What is their reasoning? I have never kept this species, myself.

 

[hibiscusmile]

Here's a easy tip, look at first pic, males have heavy antenna, females don't! Stop counting segments, idol, medinca and others are id ed this way!

 

[hibiscusmile]

This method is easy and I can tell who is who without getting close to them.

 

[Precarious]

Here's a easy tip, look at first pic, males have heavy antenna, females don't! Stop counting segments, idol, medinca and others are id ed this way!

Antenna differences only show after L6. Doesn't help with yourger nymphs.

 

[Precarious]

If the Yen pix are identified correctly, since it only has five spikes, I don't see how it can be a male. What is their reasoning? I have never kept this species, myself.

The ref pics are sub-adults. Mine is only L4. There is a very small protuberance where the 6th spike should be. Maybe that's all that shows at L4? I don't know. All I know is several others believe it is a male.

 

[sporeworld]

I'm with Rebecca on this one - there's a HUGE difference in the antenae in your pictures - the boys are collossal!! MUCH easier to tell THOSE two apart by the antena than the segments. Not sure how far back that goes, though (L3 maybe?).

I tried to isolate it here...

 

[Precarious]

I'm with Rebecca on this one - there's a HUGE difference in the antenae in your pictures - the boys are collossal!! MUCH easier to tell THOSE two apart by the antena than the segments. Not sure how far back that goes, though (L3 maybe?).

REALLY? Are you sure? The antenna are different? :blink:

Maybe I should just wait to see which lay ooths to find out which are females?

:lol: :lol:

But seriously...

I'm looking for a technique to sex nymphs. I guess I should have made that clear.

Of course you can easily tell by the time they are subadult (like those in the reference photos). The antenna are identical until L6, right? Or am I wrong? So how do you sex them before that?

I realize if you're keeping a big colony it's not an issue. I only have 6. And 5 of those are females for sure.

 

[sporeworld]

Ha, ha! Sorry - thought maybe you missed that (doh!).

I SOOOOO wish I'd have taken more (and better) pictures. I've been scanning through the photos of my idol nymphs and I just don't have enough to work with. I have some video where you can see quite a few with very similar antena, which means nada (all male or female?). Of course, they're still worth watching...

Here's one molting...

http://s1085.photobucket.com/albums/j439/Sporeworld1/Idols/?action=view&current=DuganTangentPics002.mp4

 

[sporeworld]

Here're 2 fighting over food...

http://s1085.photobucket.com/albums/j439/Sporeworld1/?action=view&current=IphonePhotos-Circa2010-06-23112Idolo.mp4

And here's a fly-by of them doing the nervous twitter...

http://s1085.photobucket.com/albums/j439/Sporeworld1/?action=view&current=IphonePhotos-Circa2010-06-23159Idolo.mp4

Sorry I couldn't be more helpful...

 

[Precarious]

Sorry I couldn't be more helpful...

It's the thought that counts.

NIce vids. The one molting in your first video is definitely male. Do you know what instar that was?

Which reminds me...

One of mine molted to L8 last night... and is still NOT adult!!! Females must go to L9. I caught the whole event on video. I'll post as soon as I get it edited.

Here are a few pics:

 

[sporeworld]

Again, great photos. I pledge to do a MUCH better job of recording the events next time around.

Here's the best I can figure from my notes:

The Molting video was shot on 07/02/2010, so probably sub-adult. Research I've done suggests the final molt should be within 30 days, but I know Sheila (female) took longer.

04/09 - Hatched

04/21 - 1st Molt (estimate)

05/03 - 2nd Molt (estimate)

05/15 - 3rd Molt (estimate)

05/27 - 4th Molt (estimate)

06/08 - 5th Molt (estimate)

06/25 - 6th Molt (estimate)

07/23 - 7th Molt (estimate)

I know at 07/23 none of mine had molted to adult. One of the boys molted to adult around 08/13. By 09/14, Sheila (female) made her final Molt.

Are you suggesting that there are 8 molts for boys, and 9 for girls...?

 

[Precarious]

Are you suggesting that there are 8 molts for boys, and 9 for girls...?

That would be my guess. And it seems your records would support that if average molt period is 30 days in later instars.

I kept very strict records of each molt and I received my nymphs as L1 (with exception of the latest L4). Since I only had five it was very easy to keep track of. Two were ahead of the others, because they came from a different ooth, which made record keeping even easier.

 

[Rick]

I won't say it's better, but the old classical methods of looking at segments or in my case I just look at the last segment. Will still work. Nice write up and pics.

 

[hibiscusmile]

After second instar, you should be able to tell the diff with antenna, I can with mine, so with practice either methou will work.

 

[angelofdeathzz]

The antenna is the best way, like I explained to you before Henry, I knew my male at L4. but I have my fingers crossed for you!

 

[Precarious]

The antenna is the best way, like I explained to you before Henry, I knew my male at L4. but I have my fingers crossed for you!

Well if that's the case then I have ANOTHER female!!!

Molted to L5 last night. Antenna look the same and no 6th spike. Grrrr...

WHERE ARE ALL THE MALES??????