About 3 months ago, I released 100+ freshly hatched Chinese mantids (Tenodera sinensis) in my backyard and I held on to a few to raise. Fast forward to a week ago, my one remaining mantis is at L6 and looks relatively happy and healthy. When taking a walk, I find outside a huge sub-adult female Chinese. She is very active and has a dark pink body that matches the twigs of the bush that I found her on. A few days later, she molts into a full adult while my captive raised girl is only at L6 and about half her size.
Is it possible that they are sisters from the same ooth? The difference in life stage and size are very surprising and the difference in body coloration is pretty striking. Having never seen a mantis on my property for 4 years prior, it would be an amazing coincidence if she wasn't one that I released.
A bonus side note: My neighbor works in his garden often and said that he sees mantids all the time. This makes me very happy to know that a good number of my little buggies made it!
Here's a pic of my girls:
Is it possible that they are sisters from the same ooth? The difference in life stage and size are very surprising and the difference in body coloration is pretty striking. Having never seen a mantis on my property for 4 years prior, it would be an amazing coincidence if she wasn't one that I released.
A bonus side note: My neighbor works in his garden often and said that he sees mantids all the time. This makes me very happy to know that a good number of my little buggies made it!
Here's a pic of my girls: