males larger than females

[AmandaLynn]

All of my chinese are adults now. I wanted to try to breed them when they're a bit older but I'm not sure if I should, given that most of the males are larger than the females. Would the size difference be a problem? From what I've read it's usually the other way around, with the females being bigger. :mellow:

 

[Katnapper]

After molting to adult, the females take a few weeks to fatten up and become "larger" than the males. So I'd wait a couple of weeks, not worry, and try mating then if you'd like.

 

[Rick]

Males are often longer than the females but much, much more petite.

 

[Kruszakus]

I once had an Empusa female which molted into adult one molt too soon, and she was of the same size as males - just a bit more bulky. But it's a rule that females are usually a bit larger.

 

[AmandaLynn]

OK, thanks all for answering my question. My males are about 4 inches long, and females about 3-3 1/2 inches long. I was really scratching my head about that. In all of the pictures I've seen of mantids mating, the males are much smaller in length and girth, so it's really good to know that it's not totally abnormal for the males to be longer. Is that common among Chinese mantids?

 

[Katnapper]

Hmmm.... I've never measured mine, lol... so I don't really know exactly. The males and female T. sinensis always seem to me to be generally about the same length and size when they molt to adult. Then after a couple of weeks of good feeding, the females fatten and bulk up... while the males aren't nearly as gluttonish (is that a word? ) and stay moderately slim.