ID ME - Bit of a challenge...

[sporeworld]

Well, not much to go on, but I'm pretty sure already what this is. I'm curious to see if any of you sharp-as-nails bug-folk can ID this little baby...

 

[Idolofreak]

Looks like maybe an S. limbata, judging by the black spots on the raptors, but I could be wrong.

 

[Termite48]

I think that it is Sphrodomantis sp. Blue Flash

 

[Idolofreak]

Maybe, with the shape of those spots.

 

[yen_saw]

Is it the Madagascan marbled mantis - Polyspilota aeruginosa? Likely just two molts away from adult.

 

[psyconiko]

Before any ID,where does it come from?

 

[Gill]

I have some Polyspilota aeruginosa and I think it looks like a Polyspilota sp. as yen_saw wrote

Here is a pic of one of mine that shows a similar spot and blue

 

[PhilinYuma]

Before any ID,where does it come from?

The Madagascan mantis, P. aeruginosa, comes from Madagascar, an island off the east coast of Africa.

 

[Idolofreak]

I have some Polyspilota aeruginosa and I think it looks like a Polyspilota sp. as yen_saw wrote

Here is a pic of one of mine that shows a similar spot and blue

I'll go ahead and agree with yen_saw and Gill, the Polyspilota's raptors are JUST like the one in Sporeworld's pics. Is it Polyspilota?

 

[sporeworld]

Is it the Madagascan marbled mantis - Polyspilota aeruginosa? Likely just two molts away from adult.

I think you're close. It looks more like a Polyspilota, than what I thought it was supposed to be. Also, it's now only ONE molt away (brand new skin this morning).

 

[Frey]

Polyspilota 100% ^^

One molt to adult

 

[sporeworld]

I think you're correct!

Nice work!

 

[sporeworld]

OK, so I have a few very (very) large adults now - almost exactly 4" long. As predicted, they are motled gray. They match the descriptions and photos I've seen online.

As such...

And pictured here, in a cage now mych too small for this brute...

But one of the bunch is MUCH smaller, and retained the green and red coloration. Same markings on the wings and claws. I would have THOUGHT that this was the male (half the size), but is certainly built like, and acts like, a girl. Here's a quick video from my phone...

http://s1085.photobucket.com/albums/j439/Sporeworld1/?action=view&current=f5b01bc8.mp4

Her(?) wings didn't dry correctly, but what do you think...? Same species...?

 

[sporeworld]

I wanna PING this thread again. Any other guesses...? The claw markings look identical to the Polyspilota aeruginos... but that is NOT a Marbled Mantis.

Anyone...?

 

[ShieldMantid1997]

i would say you are safe saying its a Polyspilota aeruginos sporeworld

 

[sporeworld]

The problem is, she (and a fw of her siblings) are half the size of the other adults, and look nothing like them in coloring or patterns. Do we know of any other mantid with the same forearm markings...?

 

[PhilinYuma]

i would say you are safe saying its a Polyspilota aeruginos sporeworld

No, I think that the safe thing is to say Polyspilota sp. I mentioned where P. aeruginosa comes from, above and I was at fault if i gave the impression that I was identifying yr species. Frey, Gill and Yen were correct (surprise! ) in not being sure beyond the genus. But how many ooths did you hatch? Did this come in a "pot o' ooths" that a dear friend of ours sometimes sends?! For some good pix of a male Polyspilota sp., go here: http://www.bugnation.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=334&t=34989

 

[sporeworld]

I may be zeroing in on a better ID. I think it's Polyspilota griffinii...? (Griffin Mantis)

(Edit) I typed this hours ago, but forgot to post it. But, yeah - nice link Phil. I found a link on a Swedish site as well.

 

[ShieldMantid1997]

im so confused :blink: