Late Night Photoshoot!

[agent A]

i should be in bed right now :lol: it's quarter after 11 and i have a driving lesson tomorrow

anyways

L2 hierodula bipapilla

L4 female orchids

 

[fleurdejoo]

Very pretty!

 

[sally]

Nice

 

[Digger]

Nice shots, agent. How did you make (or where did you find) the styrofoam "flowers"?

 

[agent A]

Nice shots, agent. How did you make (or where did you find) the styrofoam "flowers"?

Acmoore

 

[AxolotlsAreCoolToo]

good job agent a

 

[Mëluzynn]

Nice

But I have a (noob) question : how do you take your mantis out of the enclosure/terrarium ? I'd like to take some pictures of Aluine on some flowering orchids I have at home but I don't know how to manipulate her.

 

[Malakyoma]

Nice

But I have a (noob) question : how do you take your mantis out of the enclosure/terrarium ? I'd like to take some pictures of Aluine on some flowering orchids I have at home but I don't know how to manipulate her.

What I do, is start with just putting my hand somewhere they want to climb. Whether that be above them or beside them on the ground or wherever. Sometimes they will climb on, others they will still be hesitant. After a few minutes of them not co-operating, I give them a very gentle nudge in the abdomen with a finger or two. This surprises them, and they typically jump onto my hand I've placed in front of them to get away from whatever is poking them.

 

[Mëluzynn]

What I do, is start with just putting my hand somewhere they want to climb. Whether that be above them or beside them on the ground or wherever. Sometimes they will climb on, others they will still be hesitant. After a few minutes of them not co-operating, I give them a very gentle nudge in the abdomen with a finger or two. This surprises them, and they typically jump onto my hand I've placed in front of them to get away from whatever is poking them.

Thank you

And then you can move them where you want ? They don't jump ?

 

[Malakyoma]

Depends on the species. Mine dont jump incredibly far, and even then its only the Polyspilota griffinii that do jump. I take precautions with them, but nothing major. I haven't handled an adult mantid with wings yet, I'd be careful but they dont typically jump is my guess.

 

[Mëluzynn]

I will wait until she molts, she seems ready for it. After that she will be an adult, I'll try to handle her and make a photo shooting outside the terrarium.

Thanks for the tips

 

[fleurdejoo]

I think this is a great question!

what I would add is remember they always like to go up! And they like to hang! I also just barely gently touch their abdomens, they will move forward. Also you can offer a twig to climb up if she's in a strange spot you can't reach well.

Sometimes they jump, but the more they're handled I think the less they do this. Also I feel like you need to move slowly. Any sudden movement can cause them to jump or hunker down. Or smack ya'!

 

[agent A]

The first orchid gal is rather jumpy

It's more abt moving the camera, I have a few mantises who u have to get calmed down enough and hope its in a decent enough position for a pic

Some barely budge and I need to nudge the legs to get them in a good position

U just gotta find the right model

 

[Mëluzynn]

I think this is a great question!

what I would add is remember they always like to go up! And they like to hang! I also just barely gently touch their abdomens, they will move forward. Also you can offer a twig to climb up if she's in a strange spot you can't reach well.

Sometimes they jump, but the more they're handled I think the less they do this. Also I feel like you need to move slowly. Any sudden movement can cause them to jump or hunker down. Or smack ya'!

Thanks

The first orchid gal is rather jumpy

It's more abt moving the camera, I have a few mantises who u have to get calmed down enough and hope its in a decent enough position for a pic

Some barely budge and I need to nudge the legs to get them in a good position

U just gotta find the right model

I only have one model...XD