I can't really tell if my Chinese Mantis is a female or male!

[Nicolas]

Abdominal segments are a bit weird - it looks as if there are about 6, but then again, he/she could be at an instar where sexing isn't exactly the easiest thing to do. I also know that with males, antenna tend to be much longer and thick, but his/her antenna seems to be slightly in the middle. Not too long/thick or super short and thin. 

He/she definitely has the appetite of a female and actively chases anything I put into the enclosure, and I'm not sure if male nymphs do this. Currently, he/she is about two inches give or take. I'd take a picture of him/her, but the wings are in that pre-molt phase and he/she refused food earlier, so as of this post, the mantis is very close to molting and I'd rather not disturb him/her.

Overall I'm leaning towards female, but the only thing that is slightly confusing me is the abdominal segments. But I guess I'll know for sure in the next molt. 

 

[Mantis Lady]

Show us a picture of your mantis. Maybe we can help to see it is male or female.

 

[Nicolas]

This picture isn't good for the abdominal segment method because this isn't the underside of the abdomen. Couldn't get any pics of the underside because the glass would just flare back at my cam's flash and I obviously can't pick him/her up right now because he/she will molt very soon, so we'll have to do with this.

 

[Synapze]

Judging by the dorsal view I'd say it's male, but seeing her abdominal segments would help. If she/he is getting close to molting, it's certainly something that can wait. ?

 

[Mantis Lady]

As I see it's abodomen its shape looks like a male, but to be sure, I need to see underside of it's abdomen.

 

[Nicolas]

We'll find out when the molt happens! I counted about 6 segments on the underside, or 5...

 

[MantisGirl13]

5 or 6 would probably mean female. Just wait until she molts, and then take a better pic!

- MantisGirl13

 

[River Dane]

Generally speaking, Mantids can be sexed accurately past L4. Aside from actually counting the total segments, another easy method is just to look at the last couple segments. Several smaller segments leading to the rear means it’s mostly likely male, whereas one large final segment suggests it’s likely a female.

Picture and more in-depth guide from Keeping Insects

And good luck with the molt!

 

[MantisGirl13]

Yep, that's Dane! Always ready with a detailed picture to answer a simple question  

- MantisGirl13

 

[Nicolas]

Update: Came home from work to a successful molt and I took him out to examine a bit. He wouldn't stay still at all, he'd just run everywhere trying to smack my fingers with his claws as you can see in the second pic. Almost certain he's a he. 

Only downside is he won't live as long as a female, and he won't get as big!   But he's still come a long way, so I love him just as much as I would a female! 

 

[Predatorhousepet]

Came home from work to a successful molt and I took him out to examine a bit

It's best to wait 24 hours after a molt to handle your mantis to make sure he has dried out properly. It takes several hours after molting for their exoskeleton to dry completely and they feel extremely vulnerable during that time, molting is a stressful process for a mantis. Striking at your fingers and running away like that means he is not comfortable being handled. It's best to leave them alone for a day after they've molted not only to dry out properly but also to give him time to feel safe and less stressed out.

 

[Nicolas]

Best pic I could get; wouldn't stop moving! 

 

[Synapze]

Only downside is he won't live as long as a female, and he won't get as big!   But he's still come a long way, so I love him just as much as I would a female! 

Yep, those short lifespans are really a bummer.  ? 

Congrats on raising such a healthy looking specimen. 

 

[River Dane]

Still hard to tell, but it looks like a male.

 

[Mantis Lady]

I agree with  @River Dane It still looks like a male. 

 

[MantisGirl13]

Yeah, he is a male. Good luck with him!

- MantisGirl13