Skittles.New.Colors!

[OctoberRainne]

So I go to take out Skittles my Stalli shield mantis tonight and was shocked that he now has pink and purple accents,so wanted to share,because you don't see many of the smaller shields,and I didn't know how pretty they could be even before adult. He may have Leia beat on prettiest,but we shall see. Got him from Bugs in Cyberspace a bit ago...shot using new lighting,does wonders,all for changing some bulbs lol This is it at L6,I'm not certain on sex its still quite small...

 

[agent A]

She is so cute!! Deffo female

 

[OctoberRainne]

Yeah I see that now,everyone thought she was male,we are soo bad at sexing mine til late instars here lol need to stop trying before they reach this point

 

[MandellaMandy123]

Wow what a beautiful mantid! I love it when they get the pink color! What species is she?

 

[OctoberRainne]

Rhombodera Stalli,a smaller shield species,shes now got a purple head crown and legs and a pink butt stripe lol

 

[Krissim Klaw]

Skittles... you know of course with a name like that you have to take at least one picture of her standing amoungs a bunch of skittles.

 

[OctoberRainne]

lol Oh we have planned on that,adn also will be shooting her on a twizzler as well,waiting for her to be full grown though for those

 

[Precarious]

I can never sex my Rhombodera cf valida until sub. Up until then the sexes are indistinguishable (at least to me). Counting segments does not work with all Rhombos.

If you're interested in a larger shield species I'll soon have Rh.valida nymphs for sale. The females get 3.5"-4".

Sometimes they are organgish-red. Wish this would have lasted into adulthood.

More photos here:

http://mantidforum.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=24422

 

[OctoberRainne]

Oh nice,did it go back green then as adult?

 

[Precarious]

Oh nice,did it go back green then as adult?

Unfortunately, next molt she looked the same as the rest. Wish I knew what triggered the color.

 

[OctoberRainne]

That is odd then,least you got a shot when it happend though

 

[sueb4653]

very pretty..