Rhombodera species differences?

[CosbyArt]

I've been looking at the various Rhombodera species for a new pet. It seems however little information is available about them other than they are 4" in length (females I assume), one is a different green than the other, and they all make great companions - especially for an insect.

I often see Rhombodera basalis, Rhombodera valida, and Rhombodera stalli come up for sale/trade. There are at least 34 varieties of Rhombodera known however.

Perhaps importantly someone could tell me the differences between the varieties that are commonly available? I was also curious if anyone had any links to care or caresheets, information, or such for the species itself? As I would rather get a species for its own merits, versus having to get them all to see the differences (as I do not have the room for that).

 

[LAME]

I want one tooooo *_*

 

[mantisman 230]

There are indeed a few differences, fist off, the now available Rhombodera fusca has a much smaller shield, Rhombodera valida is usually very dark green and is a bit hardier than a Rhombodera basalis, or a Rhombodera stalli, I also believe Rhombodera stalli is the only commonly kept Rhombodera besides fusca that can be brown in coloration. The other two are pretty much always green

 

[CosbyArt]

I want one tooooo *_*

I should have figured If nothing else perhaps some trading later on for some, or a package might just show up there when I get some.

There are indeed a few differences, fist off, the now available Rhombodera fusca has a much smaller shield, Rhombodera valida is usually very dark green and is a bit hardier than a Rhombodera basalis, or a Rhombodera stalli, I also believe Rhombodera stalli is the only commonly kept Rhombodera besides fusca that can be brown in coloration. The other two are pretty much always green

Thanks that helps sort out some of it already. Seems the valida might be the one then as I would prefer a hardier insect over a color.

 

[mantisman 230]

I will be buying two valida pairs this evening

 

[bobericc]

Rhombo stalli is the smallest and lime green. then. Basalis are a big bigger and have a darker green. The valida are the largest ive kept thus far and are noticably larger than the other rhombos and has a wider shield as well. It is not the best shade of green however. They are all majorly aggressive and have great attitudes towards people though they flatten like a leaf and run when scared in its early instars. They do make some of the best companions..

 

[CosbyArt]

I will be buying two valida pairs this evening

Nice, have fun with your new pets.

Rhombo stalli is the smallest and lime green. then. Basalis are a big bigger and have a darker green. The valida are the largest ive kept thus far and are noticably larger than the other rhombos and has a wider shield as well. It is not the best shade of green however. They are all majorly aggressive and have great attitudes towards people though they flatten like a leaf and run when scared in its early instars. They do make some of the best companions..

Great details, thanks. Definitely makes me want to try them later on. I may end up with two species to get a better idea of them as a species.

 

[LAME]

I should have figured If nothing else perhaps some trading later on for some, or a package might just show up there when I get some.

Hahaha!

 

[Sticky]

I agree with you Bobericc about the Valida. They are quite the characters. I had a female that was always interesting. She hated the tv, even my kindle! Watching Inuyasha got the best reaction, she would display by spreading her arms at it!. She also did not like a friend of mine.

 

[Sticky]

Oh, who is breeding Valida?

 

[MantisMatt14]

Rhombo stalli is the smallest and lime green. then. Basalis are a big bigger and have a darker green. The valida are the largest ive kept thus far and are noticably larger than the other rhombos and has a wider shield as well. It is not the best shade of green however. They are all majorly aggressive and have great attitudes towards people though they flatten like a leaf and run when scared in its early instars. They do make some of the best companions..

This is very correct. I will have to add that valida has the darkest black surrounding the white spots on each side of the wings. Valida does indeed have the widest shield. I had a male valida sub adult that had a shield wider than my adult stalli girl. Valida and basalis as well as sometimes stalli can be very blue in coloration. I have had blue females of both species but stalli was more common with the blue trait with the valida being a much more dark green color. All rhombos have the sweetest personalities and make the best pets. I can say this on here because I will not get hate: Rhombodera as pets make better companions and friends then most hamsters."

My sister's hamster is very boring and my Rhombodera girls continue to facinate me. Whether it is threat displaying my dad to watching tv with me, they are the best mantis anyone could ask for. At least in my opinion. They are not the best molters though and that whole genus needs the best humidity in order to be successful with the final molt, especially large females. Also all of this genus besides fusca has brilliantly reddish pink colored abdomens under the wings. I believe that R stalli and R. valida have the most abdomen color. Now that I have spoke my mind of my views on Rhombos here are some pics of my girls and previous shields I have kept. I believe these are R. stalli.

-Matthew Nochisaki

 

[mantisman 230]

yeah I just got 7 fusca nymphs today, very happy

 

[Denny1st]

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8foJTBlUjYDbE9wSjVSc0todjlwc0NCdGdPclRqTHlYTUpn/view?usp=sharing

I'm not sure if you guys can see that but it's one of my new R. valida... I got two females and a male they are L4/5

 

[Denny1st]

This is very correct. I will have to add that valida has the darkest black surrounding the white spots on each side of the wings. Valida does indeed have the widest shield. I had a male valida sub adult that had a shield wider than my adult stalli girl. Valida and basalis as well as sometimes stalli can be very blue in coloration. I have had blue females of both species but stalli was more common with the blue trait with the valida being a much more dark green color. All rhombos have the sweetest personalities and make the best pets. I can say this on here because I will not get hate: Rhombodera as pets make better companions and friends then most hamsters."

My sister's hamster is very boring and my Rhombodera girls continue to facinate me. Whether it is threat displaying my dad to watching tv with me, they are the best mantis anyone could ask for. At least in my opinion. They are not the best molters though and that whole genus needs the best humidity in order to be successful with the final molt, especially large females. Also all of this genus besides fusca has brilliantly reddish pink colored abdomens under the wings. I believe that R stalli and R. valida have the most abdomen color. Now that I have spoke my mind of my views on Rhombos here are some pics of my girls and previous shields I have kept. I believe these are R. stalli.

-Matthew Nochisaki

I agree with the hamster statement.. i work at a pet store and clean all of the rodent's and the bird's cages and i have to say they are the dumbest out of all of them imho. Cuz they always move in the way when im tyring to clean, all the other birds and rodents have learned to get out of the way.