Three months in...first impressions.

[TheTranquilEye]

OK people, so I'm really new here but here is my view on what I have:

Pseudempusa pinnapavonis (peacock mantis)

'Manny' - Male

My first mantis and still one of my most difficult. He's what we'd call in the UK, a numpty. He's afraid of everything. Won't eat for days on end and is a continual worry. Not for beginners. Not dead, so must be doing something right.

Sphodromantis lineola (African lined mantis)

'Maude' - Female

A trooper. Amazing size difference on each molt. Vicious and brutal killer. Eats anything put near her. Calm and relaxed when being handled. Seems to know who you are and so I'd say is a great beginner's mantis. Probably my 'heart' mantis but would have to keep more to make certain (or keep more species).

Hymenopus coronatus (orchid mantis)

'Myrtle' - Female

Obviously, beautiful. Vicious and agile killer. No issues with handling or feeding but a constant worry with molting due to body shape. No problems so far. She's sweet and beautiful (did I say that already?)

Prohierodula laticollis

'Morewenna' - Female, 'Max' - Male

Sent to me by a kind forum member. Nutters, bonkers and great fun (not the forum member, the mantids). These guys are crazy! Parkour for insects is the only way to describe them. Jumpy, jumpy, jumpy. All. The. Time. Eating and molting with no issues, so I'd say fine for a beginner if you don't mind an insect on your head one minute and the curtains the next.

God knows what they'll be like when they get wings.

And last but not least....

Mantis Religiosa (European Mantis)

'Michel' - Male

Wild mantis caught near Bordeaux and brought back to me in the UK. We call him 'Michel the Famous French Fighter Pilot' as he flies everywhere. 'Two inches? Yeah, I can fly there!'. BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR. SPLAT! 'Offering me honey on a cocktail stick?' BRRRRRRRRRRR. SPLAT!' Need to move this half eaten fly from my enclosure?' BBBBBBBRRRRRR. SPLAT!

You get the picture.

As he's my first wild mantis, I'm not offering any opinion on this species suitability to keep. But, if you like frantically waving your hands like a lunatic in a brief but probably futile effort from stopping your pet insect flying into the ceiling fan, go to Bordeaux (or indeed Europe in general (avoid the UK, we've got enough problems with Brexit, let alone wild mantids)) and capture one of nature's most enthusiastic and yet worst aviators of the insect world.

I hope that this has informed and entertained at the same time.

Now where's Michel?

BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR. SPLAT!

[Goes cross-eyed]

'Hullo Michel'

.

 

[CosbyArt]

Sounds like you are having fun in the hobby, and learning they all have their quirks and personalities. Seems like Michel stands out, especially with his flying tricks, but Morewenna and Max are a close second.

Your experience with Myrtle (Hymenopus coronatus) sums up what I've learned about them on the forum and why I haven't bothered to try the species still. Indeed Sphodromantis lineola is listed as a beginner species, and a favorite by many for their handling ability.

I'm interested to see what other species your eventually try, and your thoughts on the species I've kept when you try them, as it sounds like you have similar mantid interests/experiences.

I'm sorry to hear the Brexit still isn't going well. I read up on it numerous times and seems like a lost cause in either direction, then Scotland joining in and wanting to jump ship from the UK, then the other issues... At least you got your mantids to keep you happy.

 

[MantisRCool]

Hahaha great post  especially Michel's flying adventure... I have a male sphodromantis viridis who is like that. Likes to fly onto my face the most  

Max should be pretty good at flying once he gets his wings, these guys are pretty lean and light

 

[TheTranquilEye]

I'm sorry to hear the Brexit still isn't going well. I read up on it numerous times and seems like a lost cause in either direction, then Scotland joining in and wanting to jump ship from the UK, then the other issues... At least you got your mantids to keep you happy.

To be honest, Brexit will be like a hand withdrawn from water. A few ripples and then it will be just like it was.

Hahaha great post  especially Michel's flying adventure... I have a male sphodromantis viridis who is like that. Likes to fly onto my face the most  

Max should be pretty good at flying once he gets his wings, these guys are pretty lean and light

My other half loves the mantids and handles them with no issues but she absolutely hates it when they fly . Not surprising as they seem to have no flight plan in mind...

 

[MantisRCool]

With the bigger ones it's not that difficult, I usually just put a hand in front of where they want to fly and they fly on my hand  but the small species... They are very very good at flying and once you lose sight of them, good luck finding them. My Creobroter gemmatus male was hiding somewhere for about a week

 

[MantisRCool]

Also you get used to the flying, at first it was weird but now I'm like "come on Cecil, wanna fly onto my face?" And he's like Fffrrrrrtttr right on there

 

[ashleenicole]

Michel sounds a lot like the adult male orchid I had, once he got his wings he couldn't resist flying everywhere. It made me incredibly nervous because he was so small.