What instar ?

[Psychobunny]

I know this question must have come up before, so I did a search and could not find my answer.

So, please dont yell at me to use the search fuction!!

Is there a sure fire way to tell what instar a mantis is without counting every shed?

Species that I am used to, and have seen grow up, I can sort of tell.

But a mantis I am not used to.........

 

[Termite48]

With some of the more familiar species there are certain colors, body parts, and developments that occur at a given instar. For example the color change from red and black to white and pink with Orchids going from L-1 to L-2 is a given. The showing of wings buds on certain species at the pre-subadult stage is a give away, if one is familiar. These waymarks are even better than size because size can vary. I am sorry I cannot be more specific here, but it is a known fact that there are experts on this Forum for a given species. If you need help with a specific species, the best is to post a picture and give a general cry for help, being as specific as you can, and you will get the help you need. There is no general rule about the i.d. of a certain instar.

 

[patrickfraser]

Best guess, I guess. :lol: After keeping a species from nymph to adulthood you can "kinda" get an idea, but I don't think there's any exact "science". I'm always going back to this website for pictures of the different instars of a lot of species. http://www.mantisonline.de/index.php?lan=en&show=species&content=a:2:{s:7:%22subshow%22;s:15:%22species_mantids%22;s:10:%22level_left%22;s:3:%22all%22;}

 

[Psychobunny]

Thanks, that is a very useful website for info.

I just hate to be wrong about the instar and be corrected on the public forum :blush: