infinity
Well-known member
Observing my chinese mantids only I've noticed about 5 standard postures... Some of which i know the meaning to but others I'm blank on. I'm curious whether these trends are consistent with other mantids or whether they have unique stances themselves...
Anyway, the 5 positions...
1. Standard praying stance... usually upside down or I've noticed, preferably at about 45* upside down. - Obviously this means ready and waiting. This can be and often is done *swaying*
2. Upside down (ish) but with forearms touching the surface on which it is holding onto. (obviously this can be faked by tapping the container and unsettling the mantid - this i've found occurs just at or before (so this is the early warning sign) of moulting
3. The elongated stance... The mantid is (usually) upside down but has forearms out-stretched (what i call the *diving position*) - basically the mantid is trying to be as long as possible - in my experience this has occured a day after moulting (so i'd assume the exoskeleton is dry) - and during this time, the mantid doesn't eat and ignored nearby food.
4. The *two-legger* - upside down, the two back legs ONLY on the surface - obviously done while moulting
there's a 5 but i've forgotten...
So are there any other positions noticed? is it consistent through the species?
Anyway, the 5 positions...
1. Standard praying stance... usually upside down or I've noticed, preferably at about 45* upside down. - Obviously this means ready and waiting. This can be and often is done *swaying*
2. Upside down (ish) but with forearms touching the surface on which it is holding onto. (obviously this can be faked by tapping the container and unsettling the mantid - this i've found occurs just at or before (so this is the early warning sign) of moulting
3. The elongated stance... The mantid is (usually) upside down but has forearms out-stretched (what i call the *diving position*) - basically the mantid is trying to be as long as possible - in my experience this has occured a day after moulting (so i'd assume the exoskeleton is dry) - and during this time, the mantid doesn't eat and ignored nearby food.
4. The *two-legger* - upside down, the two back legs ONLY on the surface - obviously done while moulting
there's a 5 but i've forgotten...
So are there any other positions noticed? is it consistent through the species?