ok im not posting this in the classified so that we can discuss the topic. Starting off i have been searching for this species for over 2 years now and have no luck. Are they really that hard to get? Does anyone in the hobby have time to hunt out a few ooths in the wild? please pm me with leads if anyone has them. Mainly why have they left the hobby? any input is appreciated.
Texas Unicorns discussion thread
- Thread starter jrh3
- Start date
Help Support Mantidforum:
Krissim Klaw
Well-known member
Unfortunately like a lot of mantises availability is largely decided by if someone happens to be culturing them. Sadly our even more exotic looking natives tend to get passed up for other non-native exotics, when it comes to keeping species in culture. I had no problem getting this species a number of years back, but it has been ages since I've seen anyone really focusing on them. It is a real shame because the species is a real treat to own.
Last edited by a moderator:
yes it is a great species often over looked. i think what im gonna do is start keeping a few cultures that have fallen just to keep them going. unicorns will be one of them. That is if i can get my hands on a few, lol.
Last edited by a moderator:
Sarah K
Well-known member
Yes! Please do! I don't live anywhere near their native region, so I have no chance to get any without getting them from a breeder, so please let me know if you get some to successfully reproduce. 
Krissim Klaw
Well-known member
Let me know if you manage to get a culture going as it is a species I would love to try again sometime. I sort of feel like it might be fun to get a thread going for those culturing/wanting to culture native species to chat/network in. Seems at times it is harder to get native species over a number of the exotics. I had such a hard time getting legit Stagmomantis carolina mantises. Most the people claiming to sell nymphs/oothecae of them actually had Tenodera angustipennis.
Sarah K
Well-known member
Good idea, and as far as getting legit Stagmomantis carolina mantises are concerned, that is why I always keep my Carolina cultures going (since they are native to my area). If you are ever looking for them, let me know, and I should have something available.
Best of luck with the effort, hopefully someone can track some down some Texas Unicorns (Phyllovates chlorophaea) and get it cultured again - another great candidate would be the Arizona Unicorn (Pseudovates arizonae) as well. It seems to be one of the most requested species too besides the exotic Orchids (Hymenopus coronatus).
If anyone wants to try and locate the Unicorns in the wild see the post by yen_saw for details. However, as the species requires intermediate to advanced husbandry care (see the caresheet) it isn't for everyone and will require some effort.
The most recently they were offered in the classifieds as nymphs was by yen_saw in July 2014, and sschind had the most recent (a lone adult male) back in March 2016. Before that was 2012, 2011, and such - so not common for sure and only once since I've been here.
I agree though most native/naturalized species are more difficult to acquire usually than just about anything as few of us keep them regularly, and are overlooked by most.
I've been culturing Chinese (Tenodera sinensis) and Carolina (Stagmomantis carolina) mantids for a few years myself for various reasons. I had more Chinese hatch yesterday, and one of my Carolina ooths had parasitic wasps (I hate those things) hatch recently, so the Carolina nymphs should be hatching in a few weeks or less now too.
If anyone wants to try and locate the Unicorns in the wild see the post by yen_saw for details. However, as the species requires intermediate to advanced husbandry care (see the caresheet) it isn't for everyone and will require some effort.
The most recently they were offered in the classifieds as nymphs was by yen_saw in July 2014, and sschind had the most recent (a lone adult male) back in March 2016. Before that was 2012, 2011, and such - so not common for sure and only once since I've been here.
Native mantid species might be worth a section onto itself on the forum. Perhaps the section could be aimed at sharing locations of where various species are caught in the wild, perhaps number of oothecae/nymphs/adults found, details of rearing them, current keepers of species, and such. If your interested let Peter know, as it would likely mean more coming from members writing.
I agree though most native/naturalized species are more difficult to acquire usually than just about anything as few of us keep them regularly, and are overlooked by most.I've been culturing Chinese (Tenodera sinensis) and Carolina (Stagmomantis carolina) mantids for a few years myself for various reasons. I had more Chinese hatch yesterday, and one of my Carolina ooths had parasitic wasps (I hate those things) hatch recently, so the Carolina nymphs should be hatching in a few weeks or less now too.
i think the hardest part is that we dont have alot of info on them to base their husbandry needs off of other than their habitat in the wild. If i do get them going i will plan to try a few different setups because i have learned alot in the tarantula community. Things like cross ventilation and humidity control could be the main factor with this species.
Tehshlendo
Well-known member
In the mantid reddit page someone found one of these guys in their backyard just the other day. Maybe they'd be interested in taking a look around for them or ooths.
Last edited by a moderator:
Ranitomeya
Well-known member
I had one male and two females a while ago and unfortunately one of the females ate the male and then seemed to go mad. She started to eat her own legs and then finally grabbed her own thorax with her raptorial claws and paralyzed herself. I was left with an unmated female and I haven't seen them available since.
Krissim Klaw
Well-known member
That was what I was thinking, although I'm mot sure if there will be enough activity for its own subforum. I've noticed that a lot of people that do breed/have native species tend to be way more lowkey about selling often. I'm guessing a lot of times it is just easier to release the extras unless you happen to see someone specifically looking for them.Native mantid species might be worth a section onto itself on the forum. Perhaps the section could be aimed at sharing locations of where various species are caught in the wild, perhaps number of oothecae/nymphs/adults found, details of rearing them, current keepers of species, and such. If your interested let Peter know, as it would likely mean more coming from members writing.
Also I wasn't aware the unicorns were considered a harder species. Is it just because of the breeding? I'll admit I wasn't interested in breeding at the time when I had mine so I never tried. I found them to be robust hardy species otherwise though as far as growing and reaching adulthood.
Activity wise that might be something that no one would truly know unless it got it's own section.
Although it would have to be handled to prevent issues of overlapping such as Health issues, and other basic mantid sections where such posts would belong. That is to mean a new native section needs to have it's own identity/usage and isn't a single section source just due to being a native species.Yes release is a option (and where most of my wild collected ooths return); however, as most natives do have a extended diapause (and successfully hatch even after 3-4 months of extra diapause than in nature) so there is no rush to hatch or sell them unlike exotics that can not/do not diapause. Also I know the last time I offered Carolina ooths (Stagmomantis carolina) I was going to sell 10 ooths, but I kept getting PM's from many requesting some. In the end I had to stop at about 35 ooths, so I had a few left for myself. I still get a occasional PM for some, so I don't bother with ads unless I have many more than I would need.
Unicorns difficultly seems to lay in their final molt, mating, and the amount of offspring. From the caresheet here are the points...
Personally I have no idea on the species as it is one I haven't kept, I've just read about as they are so rare. Perhaps that may change in time for me, and anyone else who wants to try them.
The difficultly does seem to indicate though a possible reason why the species seems to disappear for a year or more in culture, and might explain the seemingly single generation kept by those who did have them (too difficult to keep going).
Kris Anderson
Well-known member
I can help provide distribution maps of all U.S. and Canadian species (some species are still in process but most have been completed). Full documentation and book should be out by Fall 2017.Best of luck with the effort, hopefully someone can track some down some Texas Unicorns (Phyllovates chlorophaea) and get it cultured again - another great candidate would be the Arizona Unicorn (Pseudovates arizonae) as well. It seems to be one of the most requested species too besides the exotic Orchids (Hymenopus coronatus).
If anyone wants to try and locate the Unicorns in the wild see the post by yen_saw for details. However, as the species requires intermediate to advanced husbandry care (see the caresheet) it isn't for everyone and will require some effort.
The most recently they were offered in the classifieds as nymphs was by yen_saw in July 2014, and sschind had the most recent (a lone adult male) back in March 2016. Before that was 2012, 2011, and such - so not common for sure and only once since I've been here.
Native mantid species might be worth a section onto itself on the forum. Perhaps the section could be aimed at sharing locations of where various species are caught in the wild, perhaps number of oothecae/nymphs/adults found, details of rearing them, current keepers of species, and such. If your interested let Peter know, as it would likely mean more coming from members writing.
I've been culturing Chinese (Tenodera sinensis) and Carolina (Stagmomantis carolina) mantids for a few years myself for various reasons. I had more Chinese hatch yesterday, and one of my Carolina ooths had parasitic wasps (I hate those things) hatch recently, so the Carolina nymphs should be hatching in a few weeks or less now too.
Kermit
Well-known member
So excited to see that there's such a great interest in the unicorn species... As you can see from my avatar it happens to be my very favorite species due to their special personality and their incredible looks.
I live in So California and AZ is only a 5 hour drive, or 1 hour flight. I do business in AZ frequently and my in laws just retired to Northern AZ just a few years ago.
You may be surprised to know that I made 3 trips to Arizona last year (work related) and tacked on an entire day on the tail end of the trips with the direct goal of finding the elusive AZ Unicorns. 2 of my trips resulted in stegmomantis lobata and gracilis ooth collections. I have read all of Yen's posts and I have done exhaustive searching on the internet on any and all info regarding the species as well as where to find them... Both AZ and TX species, to be clear. On my third trip I believe I found a AZ Unicorn ooth but sadly it never hatched. Their oothecas are uniquely different than others. I know this because 3 years ago I bought 4 TX Unicorns, and the only female laid about 6 ooths for me. Oddly after a few months of incubation I was ready to give up when I noticed a single black nymph in the container!!! The story ended sadly as I was unable to get it to eat and it died shortly thereafter. No others hatched!
I have been forever searching for Unicorns since that date.??
To be clear I have searched as far North as Sedona (never read evidence that Unicorns range reached that far North in AZ, but hiked extensively finding only lobata), and as far south as Rio Rico (close to the Mexican border) where I've read the are known to exist.
Spider Creations (forum member) lives and hikes In Tucson AZ and has collected some but now claims they have mysteriously vanished!
We've exchanged countless messages back and forth on the subject spanning over a year!
I am planning a trip in February, March and April for work and strategizing a few vacation days to look for this lost species. I will follow this thread and update you all on my progress ?
And lastly for the record i found that Unicorns are a very hardy species that were easy to keep. I never had any molting issues and they enjoyed misting every few days. Great eaters... Crickets, moths, butterflies and of course flies. My story on extremely low hatch rate is my only suspicion as to why keeping them in culture has been a challenge. Brunneria (forum member) received 4 AZ Unicorns in the fall of 2015 from Spider Creations and told me just a week ago that they never bred for him, but did report that they made adulthood without issue.
Looking forward to hearing more from others on their experiences with this fantastic domestic species!!!!
I live in So California and AZ is only a 5 hour drive, or 1 hour flight. I do business in AZ frequently and my in laws just retired to Northern AZ just a few years ago.
You may be surprised to know that I made 3 trips to Arizona last year (work related) and tacked on an entire day on the tail end of the trips with the direct goal of finding the elusive AZ Unicorns. 2 of my trips resulted in stegmomantis lobata and gracilis ooth collections. I have read all of Yen's posts and I have done exhaustive searching on the internet on any and all info regarding the species as well as where to find them... Both AZ and TX species, to be clear. On my third trip I believe I found a AZ Unicorn ooth but sadly it never hatched. Their oothecas are uniquely different than others. I know this because 3 years ago I bought 4 TX Unicorns, and the only female laid about 6 ooths for me. Oddly after a few months of incubation I was ready to give up when I noticed a single black nymph in the container!!! The story ended sadly as I was unable to get it to eat and it died shortly thereafter. No others hatched!
I have been forever searching for Unicorns since that date.??
To be clear I have searched as far North as Sedona (never read evidence that Unicorns range reached that far North in AZ, but hiked extensively finding only lobata), and as far south as Rio Rico (close to the Mexican border) where I've read the are known to exist.
Spider Creations (forum member) lives and hikes In Tucson AZ and has collected some but now claims they have mysteriously vanished!
We've exchanged countless messages back and forth on the subject spanning over a year!
I am planning a trip in February, March and April for work and strategizing a few vacation days to look for this lost species. I will follow this thread and update you all on my progress ?
And lastly for the record i found that Unicorns are a very hardy species that were easy to keep. I never had any molting issues and they enjoyed misting every few days. Great eaters... Crickets, moths, butterflies and of course flies. My story on extremely low hatch rate is my only suspicion as to why keeping them in culture has been a challenge. Brunneria (forum member) received 4 AZ Unicorns in the fall of 2015 from Spider Creations and told me just a week ago that they never bred for him, but did report that they made adulthood without issue.
Looking forward to hearing more from others on their experiences with this fantastic domestic species!!!!
I think if we can ever get them started again we form some kind of breeder pact, lol. That way we know who has them and kinda work as a team to get them in culture. Texas unicorns are out there but im guessing they are hard to find like the T. graminis and scudders mantis we have here. To me they are the most interesting species in the US. The people that have difficulty rearing new off spring should take logs and share. What has me curious is it they need to be kept like B. Mendica, Hot and Dry. maybe even can do a small eco system in a 20 gallon tank to mimic their locale for breeding. Anyways this is starting to become some good stuff posted here, lets keep it going. Kinda like Idolomantis Consolidated.
If you have maps for either the Texas Unicorns (Phyllovates chlorophaea) or Arizona Unicorn (Pseudovates arizona) that may be a large help. Be sure to post links about the book and links to buy when it does go into print, many of us would love to get a copy.
All great to hear, especially that you make trips to find them and your information of care, makes it sounds like a very promising goal. The low hatch rate should be resolved with a few attempts - and perhaps someone has the experienced tips to help (likely temperature, humidity range (or even a sort of dry/cool diapause required)).
I have talked to the other members you have mentioned on other species, and hopefully you and spider_creations will have better luck on your next attempts. Keep us updated.
Kris Anderson
Well-known member
Sure, no problem. I will post the update on Pseudovates arizonae today, including an accurate distribution map. The species treatment for Pseudovates chlorophaea (including the referenced notation of the genus revision and synonymy with Phyllovates) should be completed by early February.
In the meantime, you can follow all updates here:
https://www.researchgate.net/project/Praying-Mantises-of-the-United-States-and-Canada
In the meantime, you can follow all updates here:
https://www.researchgate.net/project/Praying-Mantises-of-the-United-States-and-Canada
