molting question

[scriabin]

Hi - this is my first time keeping mantids - I came home tonight and one of my chinese females had molted and now dramatically has wings.

Was this the final molt? She's only around 3.5" - I thought she would get much bigger!

 

[Rick]

That is it. The mantis is now adult and will molt no more. You always here people talking about 6" chinese mantids but I still haven't seen one. You sure that is what you have?

 

[scriabin]

I mean - I ordered a chinese ootheca ... unless the salesperson pulled a switcheroo, I think she's they are chinese.

Well I wont hold it against her, being small.

 

[kamakiri]

Wings are a sign of the final molt! Congrats on raising hatchlings to adulthood!

Sounds a little small for a T. sinensis female. Was she well fed?

Probably is a Chinese mantis since 3.5" would still be big for most other over-the-counter breeds like M. religiosa and S. carolina

 

[yen_saw]

It is normal to have smaller chinese mantis. Tenodera angustipennis appear similar looking to the T. sinesis but slightly smaller. My last wild caught chinese mantis is about 4 inches.

 

[Dinora]

It is normal to have smaller chinese mantis. Tenodera angustipennis appear similar looking to the T. sinesis but slightly smaller. My last wild caught chinese mantis is about 4 inches.

Where did you catch that?!!

I've haven't seen a mantis outside in years and it was only the one time, too.

 

[Rick]

Where did you catch that?!!I've haven't seen a mantis outside in years and it was only the one time, too.

I find them by the hundreds around here.

 

[Katnapper]

I find them by the hundreds around here.

But you're not in Houston, TX.

 

[robelgado]

Yea, my biggest chinese is about 4 inches. The oldest molted a couple weeks back.

 

[yen_saw]

Where did you catch that?!!I've haven't seen a mantis outside in years and it was only the one time, too.

Try Bear Creek Park in West Houston. It is on Hwy 6 then turn into Peterson rd and you will see a huge park. For some reason that park has more Thesprotia graminis and Stagmomantis carolina than the Chinese mantis. I am sure you can find mantis on other parks too there are many parks in Houston. Sorry scriabin don't mean to hi-jack your thread i will stop here.

 

[sk8erkho]

You guys are so lucky with your finding and catching wild mantids and such!!!! I only get the honour once in a while out here in jersey. but then I don't like it here so why would they?!!!! Only here for the fam and when that's over I'll be off into the wind!!!!