I'm an Entomologist- ask me anything!

[minomantis]

I think the idea of how mantis color determination has been beaten to a pulp, but

I think it would be cool to get your opinion on what produces mantis coloration. I guess

what I'm getting at is do you think outside factors play a role in coloration for mantis. In your

opinion. Thanks!

 

[sschind]

How long would it take for a grasshopper with a wooden leg to kick the seeds out of a dill pickle?

 

[Trundlebug]

Have you ever seen any studies done on mantis aversion to giant hairy man arms? I've had so many mantises over the years who flat out refuse to climb on my dad's arms. All it takes is one try for them to learn to completely snub his manly man arm hairs. I keep asking him to shave a strip up his arm so they would have a hair free walk way, but so far he keeps turning me down, even when I say it is for science. :taz:

On a slightly more serious note, do you know of any studies on honey and its affects on insects outside of bees? Honey is generally considered within the hobby to be an acceptable treat for mantises. Over the years however there are also those that claim its useful for health benefits. Some like to feed it to mantises that have been puking, under the assertion it's natural antibacterial properties will help cleanse the mantises gut of any bacterial/fungle type infections/imbalances. I've seen other's that like to slather it on wounds, once again under the assumption it will prevent infection. I'm curious what your thoughts on this would be and if you know of any studies that might support or discredit such thoughts?

LOL. Ahh, but my mantises love climbing on my (admittedly hairy?) arms. I don't know what it is. Bugs make a beeline for my arms!

On the honey note: Honey is often used to feed many different types of insects in labs, or even more commonly, just plain sugar water! Fruit is also a very common thing to feed. Insects can turn sugar into energy very easily. (Table sugar and honey also have an identical chemical structure -- essentially they're the same thing -- and fructose is also easy for them to break down.)

Non-predatory insects in particular love sugars. That's what most pollinator species are after when they go dunking their head in flowers -- the nectar.

Of course, just like us, insects need a variety of nutrients besides just sucrose, but it is a huge source of energy for them. For a predator like a mantid, you're exactly right -- it makes a wonderful snack and also a kind of 'sick meal' that is easy to digest for energy. Hemolymph (insect blood) is probably also a wonderful sick meal, but they probably wouldn't find that as immediately attractive.

Insects have immune systems, just like us, and raw honey does have antibacterial properties! I will have to get back to you on paper searches -- there is a lab next door that works on bees, so I'll ask their opinions too.

 

[Trundlebug]

my indoor luna moths eclosed and attracted wild males but it seems like my outdoor ones have yet to emerge

why is it that the indoor ones that emerge early are in sync with local populations but the ones outside under the same conditions as local populations are not? do microclimates and a spread out flight season account for this?

Yep! Sure can!

Also, males of all species usually emerge before females do to get ready for them. The ones outside might be on time, but the ones you have indoors are warmer and may have eclosed earlier. Lots of things to consider! ^o^

 

[Trundlebug]

I've read on a few post that bee pollen can be use to supplement mantids. was wondering what kind of effects does bee pollen have on mantids. is it similar to dusting reptile food itemd with multivitamins?

Yes, exactly! Bee pollen has tons of nutrients in it, the type of nutrients depending on where it was collected (wildflowers, a grove, etc.) I wouldn't say it's necessary, but insects are very efficient little machines. The more nutrients you put in them, the more they'll put out.

 

[Trundlebug]

I think the idea of how mantis color determination has been beaten to a pulp, but

I think it would be cool to get your opinion on what produces mantis coloration. I guess

what I'm getting at is do you think outside factors play a role in coloration for mantis. In your

opinion. Thanks!

Hmm, yes and no. It really depends on the species! Ladybugs have differing spots and color, even among the same species, just because of genetic variation -- but their environment, such as their diet, surrounding vegetation, temperature, weather, and so on -- can affect that as well.

For a familiar example, for something like a ghost mantis, humidity is key to color, right? But a lineage that was kept in a very humid environment might produce strains that are predisposed to be greener. Surrounding plant color is also important. Color morphs in insects can be induced this way, though it is not a surefire way.

I'm sorry that it's not a very clear-cut answer.

Edit: I also forgot to mention that insects are also incredibly sensitive to chemicals given off by plants, and have evolved close relationships with them. This can also induce color changes.

 

[Trundlebug]

Going back to lineages, we hobbyists have what is known as IGM, this is essentially a stock number that denotes one stock of a species from another, take IGM 267, that is a stock for Acanthops erosula.

Thanks for your response, Trundlebug!

Yes - it seems we, as a group of hobbyists have much to do to improve this situation so that we can raise a healthy, robust population of mantids.

Wow, how interesting! Sometimes lab breeding programs will do similar things as the IGM numbers. I'm not really knowledgeable about the hobbyist community here, so I have no idea what you guys have been doing all these years and how you breed mantises and things. I hope I didn't worry you! The inbreeding situation is probably a distant 'what if' sort of thing...

If you search Mantodea on IUCN there will pop out a species (Ameles fasciipennis) rated as CR.

Oooh, thank you!! How neat... what a tiny, adorably rare little mantis. From Italy? Strange to think about how there's mantises everywhere.

How long would it take for a grasshopper with a wooden leg to kick the seeds out of a dill pickle?

If a cricket chirps in a forest with no reply, does it make a sound before it gets parasitized? :stuart:

 

[aesculpius]

I've noticed two instances of something interesting. I think twice now one of my mantis has scavenged rather than hunted insects in it's cage. Both times the insect had been dead for a handful of days. Now I didn't witness the mantis eating the dead insect but just suspected. Has this been observed before?

 

[Sticky]

Do preying mantids sleep?

 

[Jon]

My mantids just laid a ooth and its my first time and I'm wondering how much it is worth.. I will post a pic

 

[Jon]

Well idk how to post a pic but the ooth is heirdula xishaensis and it's about a centimeter by a centimeter, and fertile

 

[Pascaoual]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Hi...[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]I have a question, especially regarding the Gongylus, but may also apply to other species.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt] [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Usually, Gongylus can be kept all together, as cannibalism is pretty rare. The main difficulty of breeding them is to get the male to fertilize the female.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt] [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]I have noticed that some breeders have very good results by putting them outside. I wonder if, when placed outside, the female pheromones dissipate faster and allow to male to sense them within his sensitivity range, and in a much more natural way than when they concentrate in a terrarium (saturation of receptors?).[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Also, some breeder advice to keep the male separated from the females for a while before introducing him in the terrarium, mating would most likely occur when the male is reintroduced.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt] [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Do you interpret this the same way than I do? What are your thoughts on this?[/SIZE]

 

[[email protected]]

Could you tell me if I am in the ball park? I have a hypothesis:

I have observed that when a mantid survives the "black death," even though they throw up, they seem to accumulate some kind of internal dark sticky substance. This substance seems to internally clot (like our cholesterol in atherosclerosis). For example, sometimes their eyes will start to accumulate this substance and turn dark. It is most observed when they lay ooths right after having the "black death." Their ooths will have this dark sticky substance all over.

So this is my guess: I believe that this substance is something in their hemolymph trapping pathogens. Their bodies make it to trap the bacteria or mold, or whatever else is toxic and could kill them. This substance unfortunately sticks and clots and stays with them the rest of their lives. So the next time they get sick, they have much less chance of surviving. Their bodies try to trap more pathogens and make more of this substance which clots their insides so bad, that they cannot function and then they die.

Am I completely wrong? What is that substance, and do you know how to get rid of it? What is the pathogenesis of the "black death"?

 

[[email protected]]

Sorry about the last question. I really wish to understand the mantids physiology. Then, maybe I would not make so many mistakes

 

[Alikaren]

Could you tell me if I am in the ball park? I have a hypothesis:

I have observed that when a mantid survives the "black death," even though they throw up, they seem to accumulate some kind of internal dark sticky substance. This substance seems to internally clot (like our cholesterol in atherosclerosis). For example, sometimes their eyes will start to accumulate this substance and turn dark. It is most observed when they lay ooths right after having the "black death." Their ooths will have this dark sticky substance all over.

So this is my guess: I believe that this substance is something in their hemolymph trapping pathogens. Their bodies make it to trap the bacteria or mold, or whatever else is toxic and could kill them. This substance unfortunately sticks and clots and stays with them the rest of their lives. So the next time they get sick, they have much less chance of surviving. Their bodies try to trap more pathogens and make more of this substance which clots their insides so bad, that they cannot function and then they die.

Am I completely wrong? What is that substance, and do you know how to get rid of it? What is the pathogenesis of the "black death"?

Hmm, I think evolution would only allow mantids that store pathogens with the dark substance to create antibodies to combat them instead of just accumulating them forever and any mantid that couldn't do so would probably be destroyed by natural selection. Also, I thought mantids expel those pathogens by liquid-ish defecations. Maybe I'm wrong though, I haven't really been educated on this at all. xD

 

[ArvadaLanee]

I have a question. I have an 8 year old son who says he wants to be an entomologist when he grows up. He announced this one day when he was just 6, and has been saying it ever since. Did you always know you wanted to be an entomologist? Do you have any suggestions on how I can continue to encourage my son, and help him toward his goal? So far, we have raised butterflies one year, and ladybugs, and now we are looking into a pet praying mantis. He seems to love spiders most of all, and wants a tarantula, but I think 8 is a bit too young for that level of care, and also, I admit, I fear the sting of a tarantula, and feel less comfortable with them myself. Are there other spiders that are kept as pets? (I'm not afraid of spiders really, but just anything that can sting me.) Did you also raise insects as a child, and if so, do you think it helped lead you to your current career?

Okay, sorry. That was a few questions.

 

[mantisman 230]

Well I currently work with the Virginia Tech entomology department each fall. I'm also looking into becoming an entomologist. For a spider I recommend a jumping spider. They do well in captivity and are harmless.

 

[ArvadaLanee]

Well I currently work with the Virginia Tech entomology department each fall. I'm also looking into becoming an entomologist. For a spider I recommend a jumping spider. They do well in captivity and are harmless.

Oh, cool. Did you know you wanted to be an entomologist as a kid? Any other helpful advice on encouraging an 8 year old to follow his dream?

 

[aNisip]

Oh, cool. Did you know you wanted to be an entomologist as a kid? Any other helpful advice on encouraging an 8 year old to follow his dream?

This question isn't directed toward me Arvada, but I did...ever since I could crawl...I had a love for animals. While it still holds true, there is a slight preference towards insects. And now I'm on my way towards becoming one (after saying it all these years)

Back on topic:

Trundlebug,

I will be attending the University of Florida this Fall working towards a degree in Entomology (not sure what track yet ) ...I have an equal interest in ants as I do mantids and want to eventually pursue something in one of those fields . I was thinking, since there are certain branches in Entomology, like being a Myrmecologist, or an Apiarist... where is the Mantidologist branch? (Mantis in Greek is μάντις mántis...so I would assume a scientist that specifically studies mantises would be called something around the ball park of a Mantidologist) Are there just not enough people pursuing that path/not enough interest in studying mantises for it to become a reputable branch/specification?

All the best,

Andrew

 

[MantidLord]

I have a question. I have an 8 year old son who says he wants to be an entomologist when he grows up. He announced this one day when he was just 6, and has been saying it ever since. Did you always know you wanted to be an entomologist? Do you have any suggestions on how I can continue to encourage my son, and help him toward his goal? So far, we have raised butterflies one year, and ladybugs, and now we are looking into a pet praying mantis. He seems to love spiders most of all, and wants a tarantula, but I think 8 is a bit too young for that level of care, and also, I admit, I fear the sting of a tarantula, and feel less comfortable with them myself. Are there other spiders that are kept as pets? (I'm not afraid of spiders really, but just anything that can sting me.) Did you also raise insects as a child, and if so, do you think it helped lead you to your current career?

Okay, sorry. That was a few questions.

Hi Arvada.

I'm also an entomologist (recently got my bs in entomology from Cornell), so while the creator of the thread is away, I'll try to chime in and give my 2 cents. You're doing everything right by encouraging your child and allow him to raise and own a variety of insects. I first got interested in insects at the age of 8 (by a praying mantis of course) and while I never wanted to be an entomologist until I was in high school, my passion never faded and only grew. My parents allowed me to keep mantids, scorpions, tarantulas, etc and took me to museums and hiking, etc. So again, you're doing great.

About the tarantula. They can be VERY easy to take care of. The Chilean Rose Hair, which is the most common in the hobby is sometimes called the "pet rock" of the tarantula world because it's that easy to care for. Honestly, easy to care for than most mantids... I recommend doing a bit of research on them to see if it can work out for you. Also, tarantulas very in temperament and for many, the bite is actually weak but the urticating hairs they have can cause harm. Still, my tarantulas are used to me and don't "kick" or rear up at me. They even crawl on my hand sometimes. It all depends.