My new Ghost and Unknown Mantis

[ShieldMantid1997]

This is my new Ghost and I was wondering what instar do you think he/she is?

I was wondering what species you think this is and what instar?

-Thanks!

 

[Precarious]

Ghost looks to be about L4-L5 and likely female.

 

[ShieldMantid1997]

Oh nice! ok thank you very much, any idea about the green one? I was thinking maybe Oxyopsis gracilis but thats just a guess. :huh:

 

[guapoalto049]

I'd say L5 lady. And the green one is what you'd see if you looked in the mirror

 

[ShieldMantid1997]

good about the ghost and :blink: howd you know........

 

[PhilinYuma]

I was gonna do my usual "Mantis mysterioso" for the "mystery mantis" (no idea where it came from), but O. gracilis is a smart guess. The babies do have that bright green element...

 

[ShieldMantid1997]

i sure hope it is because i really like the adult colorations. Nice and bright!

 

[Malti]

L4 as well (same size as mine atm) no idea on the other

 

[ShieldMantid1997]

Thanks everyone for the help! i bet its a Oxyopsis gracilis.

 

[guapoalto049]

good about the ghost and :blink: howd you know........

Shield mantid!

 

[guapoalto049]

Look familiar?

 

[ShieldMantid1997]

IT DOES!!! although mine seems to have a bright red but yes! Yours looks a bit older than mine though what is yours L3?

 

[guapoalto049]

I'm not sure how old in this pic, its one from last summer. Most likely L3ish. They have red eyes at younger stadia.

Still my favorite species, Rhombodera are tanks!

 

[ShieldMantid1997]

wow is this one i got like an L1 or L2 then?

 

[guapoalto049]

Could be an L2, it looks pretty small.

 

[ShieldMantid1997]

hmmm im going to see if my friend will trade a male L4 ghost for it as he is the more experienced one, these are my first and i have been told L1-L3 is a tough stage.

 

[guapoalto049]

L1 is pretty tough for shields, but once they molt they are hardy. I only lost shields after L1 to cannibalism, not mismolts. As long as you keep it humid and well fed it should have a good shot.

 

[ShieldMantid1997]

the problem is the shield i have has a limp right claw and it wont eat/ attack. it just avoids food. And its not plump either it doesn't look full and even if it ate before being shipped it should be hungry anyway. Is this pre molt behavior?

 

[guapoalto049]

not the limp part, but mantids don't molt when they're really plump. Could be a molt approaching!