Twiggy!

[keolablue]

This is Twiggy! (Is that a common name here?) I found him in my backyard.. Can you tell me about its sex/species?

This is the first time I've raised a mantis from a nymph.

Right now he's a hunchback due to a mismolt..

 

[a1_collection]

From what I find in my yard I think it is S.Limbata. The red on teh abdomen gives it a way a bit. I don't know the sex though.

 

[PhilinYuma]

It looks as though it could be S. limbata to me, too. You can only tell the sex of nymphs by counting the segments on the underside of the abdomen. You should find Rick's "sticky" on sexing, very useful, here: http://mantidforum.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=7110

 

[keolablue]

Oh that's awesome! I looked at the species photos and I remember having found a similar looking adult in my backyard before.

It will be interesting to see what he looks like as he grows.. I;m hoping he'll shed out of his deformity..

 

[agent A]

It looks like a male to me.

 

[Emile.Wilson]

It looks like a male to me.

hard to say, because you can not see the underside of the abdomen well, but my best guess would be female

 

[Katnapper]

It is hard to say, as you can't see all of the underside of the abdomen. You count the abdominal segments from underneath, not as they appear on top.

But looking at it enlarged, my best guess is male.

 

[Ntsees]

It is hard to say, as you can't see all of the underside of the abdomen. You count the abdominal segments from underneath, not as they appear on top. But looking at it enlarged, my best guess is male.

+1

 

[Katnapper]

Also note that the last segment at the tip of the abdomen is generally about the same size as the one preceding it. In a female, the last segment is generally noticeably larger than the previous segment/s.

 

[keolablue]

Thanks for the analysis!

 

[charleyandbecky]

What a great personality he seems to have!

 

[Katnapper]

Thanks for the analysis!

You're welcome.

 

[vera_renczi]

I think the hunch back gives him character