Mantis sexing

[Bdawg]

Probably still too early to *** an L3 Egyptian, but on the off chance there are some indicators for the experts on this forum, please take a moment to see if there is anything there that could give a clue. https://anonimage.net/image/Ma6Ah3nMQ

 

[Connor]

Pretty sure it’s still too early. Give them one more molt and they will start developing their reproductive parts. I see 6 segments but it is really hard to tell and is too early for the segment counting to even work..

 

[Okoboji22]

Connors right, while true experts can tell them apart at l2 and l3, this requires much more advanced tech. And also, the reason you can't tell their *** this young is that their abdominal segments haven't fused into their final look yet. I tried sexing a rhombodera at l3 and was slightly disheartened as I thought for sure that the fact that it had more than 6 segments at that age ment male but low and behold it molted into l4 and its segments had fused into six making it a clear female.

 

[Bdawg]

Connors right, while true experts can tell them apart at l2 and l3, this requires much more advanced tech. And also, the reason you can't tell their *** this young is that their abdominal segments haven't fused into their final look yet. I tried sexing a rhombodera at l3 and was slightly disheartened as I thought for sure that the fact that it had more than 6 segments at that age ment male but low and behold it molted into l4 and its segments had fused into six making it a clear female.

There's difference between the 2 I have, but I'm just being impatient. How many molts before the final subadult, then adult molt?

 

[PrayingMantisPets]

You have a lot more to go. Maybe 4-5more Molts or so. 

 

[Okoboji22]

There's difference between the 2 I have, but I'm just being impatient. How many molts before the final subadult, then adult molt?

If I had to take my best guess I would say the one in the picture is male but be warned I could definently be wrong

 

[Bdawg]

If I had to take my best guess I would say the one in the picture is male but be warned I could definently be wrong

Thanks. I know there are no absolutes when dealing with the sexing of nymphs. Can give a rough idea though. 

 

[Connor]

The point is that you can’t tell. The nymphs Don’t even have their end abdomen segments fused yet(male ‘gains’ an extra, female ‘loses’ one).

 

[Bdawg]

The point is that you can’t tell. The nymphs Don’t even have their end abdomen segments fused yet(male ‘gains’ an extra, female ‘loses’ one).

I know now, but I was asking hypothetically, as I've stated there are no absolutes, I can however learn all I can about identifying and watch the segments develop after each molt. So when they do fuse, I'll have a better idea thanks to all the input from you guys. 

 

[Connor]

Here’s a helpful pic 

 

[Bdawg]

View attachment 9952Here’s a helpful pic 

I see what you mean about the end few fusing into one on the female. Thanks. 

 

[Connor]

Yeah no problem. Good luck with your little ones.

 

[Bdawg]

Yeah no problem. Good luck with your little ones.

Thanks