Wild Caught Regliosa questions

[womantis]

For the first time since getting involved with mantids and this forum, we have seen a number of wild mantises, specifically in the last 2 weeks, since the weather has gotten colder. Was beginning to think that they were mythical creatures in the wild! very exciting!!

we now have three wild caught mantids, at least 2 appear to be gravid females - the largest one (3.25 inches long just laid 2 ooths, the other two are 2 inches long - one of which is very plump. although they are all fully moulted winged adults, there is tremendous size variance (length), they were all found in different regions.

they all have the distinctive bulls eye like spot on the inside of the forearm (like a black/white oreo), therefore i am assuming they are europeans (m. religiosa)? is such size variance typical in mantis species?

i am also guessing that we are seeing the females at the end of the season, since they are looking to deposit their ooths?

 

[Extrememantid]

Yes they are M. Religiosa, that is a normal size for European mantids .. Though there is much larger species. Make sure you overwinter the ooths

 

[Ntsees]

Yes, the species M. religiosa does have that size variance. You're lucky to have found the extreme minimum and maximum. If you can, try to put up a picture of the 2 inch and 3.25 inch next to a ruler because I'd love to see it for myself. The smallest I've seen is 2 inches and the longest was only 3 inches.

 

[LadyWillow]

Lucky! I wish *I* could find a gravid female to bring inside.

 

[womantis]

thanks all. ntsees - i will try to get a pic of them. any idea of how long the females should live (inside)?

also, any advice on caring for the euro ooths appreciated. we had a few captive euros lay ooths last year and only one hatched this spring and just a few nympths emerged.

 

[Domanating]

Here you can see some my already deceased mantids. All European except the first one, an male Iris Oratoria. All pinned in a crappy unprofessional way. I went to other preservation methods now. Some have names, stupid names :whistling:

The size difference is apparent in the pic, specially among males.

The last one kind of answers your last question, it was named Imortal (I'm perfectly aware that it's pronounced Immortal, though, lol) due to her longevity . Born in 2012 somewhere in June I suspect because it's the typical month for mantis hatchings around here and I only had her as an adult. Died the 25th January 2013. Almost 2 months more than the longevity of a wild one.

 

[Extrememantid]

Here you can see some my already deceased mantids. All European except the first one, an male Iris Oratoria. All pinned in a crappy unprofessional way. I went to other preservation methods now. Some have names, stupid names :whistling:

The size difference is apparent in the pic, specially among males.

The last one kind of answers your last question, it was named Imortal (I'm perfectly aware that it's pronounced Immortal, though, lol) due to her longevity . Born in 2012 somewhere in June I suspect because it's the typical month for mantis hatchings around here and I only had her as an adult. Died the 25th January 2013. Almost 2 months more than the longevity of a wild one.

wow those are some big differences, even between the females