Shield mantis (Rhombodera sp)

[yen_saw]

Here are few more pics from this to-be-determined Rhombodera sp., a subadult female.

 

[robo mantis]

Thats a beast!

 

[Borya]

Can you take a photo of them placed by the ruler?

 

[RodG]

Great stuff Yen 8) Keep it coming!!!

 

[Asa]

I like the 'honeyed' food. :lol:

 

[robo mantis]

Yeah it looks like i'm going to need to buy some of the honey stuff also

 

[Asa]

I have it enmasse'

 

[spawn]

What are you talking about?

 

[robo mantis]

The stuff yen coats his bugs in before he feeds them to the mantids.

 

[yen_saw]

Can you take a photo of them placed by the ruler?

I will try to do it, right now she is 60 mm.

THe yellowy stuff is bee pollen mixed with wild honey.

 

[yen_saw]

Guess i should have added the other pics in general mantids section here.

Two of the male decided to molt into adult yesterday, now i have 2 adult pairs

I think he is wondering how did he manage to come out from that shed :lol:

 

[yen_saw]

Can you take a photo of them placed by the ruler?

Here is one of the larger subadult female, she has larger shield than most other sub. female, a good 6.5 cm, my guess is she will be at least 8 cm when adult, but i am more interested with the shield size.

 

[RodG]

Fantastic photos, Yen!!! Best of luck with the two adult pairs

Another species I must get from you 8)

 

[Asa]

THAT IS SO COOL!!

My shields are starting to devolop

 

[yen_saw]

Thanks Rod, hopefully they can be bred easily, and the next pic here will be their mating pic

 

[yen_saw]

More pics for the adult females

 

[Asa]

You can see the feeder dust on its food

 

[yen_saw]

The yellowish dust was actually some curry powder i added on to spice up her diet........ nah only kidding :lol:

Well good spot, it is the pollen/honey mix, i don't know if that actually help but this bunch have been healthy feeding with the mixture, and the first ootheca laid is the largest of any other oothecae i have seen from the wild caught female.

 

[yen_saw]

Another female was laying ootheca this morning, and the surviving flies decided to take advantage of the "liquid" from the foam.