Mantid hybridising

[Mantidfinatic13]

Is it possible to hybridise mantids and has anybody done it before? I thought of this as in the springbok invasion the orthodera males atempt mating with the female miomantis caffara. Do they ever suceed and what do the babies turn out like if they do. I was thinking if they do succeed in copulation then the female would drop the spermatisphere thing.

 

[Synapze]

It is possible, but hybridization is generally frowned upon by most in the hobby. It basically produces mutts. 

 

[hcarlton]

Hybridization is only possible amongst the most closely related species in certain genera, since insects are often structurally reproductively isolated as well as genetically. So the hybrids that are possible, are basically going to look a lot like both of the probably already very similar parents and aren't very worth looking into, never mind the risk they pose in potentially being sold mislabeled as pure species.