Yet more I diabolica photos

[Birdfly]

A scene from my greenhouse were by a 4th instar I diabolica nymph catches a bluebottle which takes it of its feet at first.

 

[Birdfly]

A 4th instar catching a cockroach. Forgot to put my lens cap on and Consequently a bit dusty :blink:

 

[Birdfly]

Some random photos from this and last year.

Two first instar nymphs, a size comparison (dont worry no blood was spilt)

 

[Malnra]

thanks for the photos

 

[pedro92]

Those are some great photos.

 

[Birdfly]

:lol: cheers

 

[joossa]

Very nice! Keep 'em coming.

 

[Birdfly]

Well its been a while and being spurred on by a few other posts i thought i'd bring it up todate, as they are now:

Cannablism:

sexing:

Lobster lunch:

 

[Birdfly]

Scary few moments into her 8th stadium:

Closer inspection:

 

[Pelle]

Beautiful photo's!

 

[Birdfly]

:lol: Thanks, i'm getting better :lol:

 

[The_Asa]

Your pictures have improved tremendously.

 

[ABbuggin]

Scary few moments into her 8th stadium:

I would be a nervous wreck if I had to go through watching that!

 

[MANTIS DUDE]

I thought idolomantis only ate flying insects? :huh: :huh:

 

[Birdfly]

No not nessasarily, as 1st through to about 5th instar they will happily feed on crawling insects like any other species of mantid, not sure exactly why this is, maybe because they are lower down in the vegatation where there are less flying quarry, hatch at a time/season where there are less flying insects or because of there smaller size, i dont know. As they get larger/older they prefer to take more and more flying insects as their special adaption suits but they are still not adversed to taking the odd crawler, especially if they are hungry

 

[Birdfly]

Sorry, cant help myself! I bought a rocket blower to help solve my sensor dust problem and had to try it out?

 

[idolomantis]

man.... those are so awesome i first gonna experience myself on flower and cryptyc mantids( pseudocreobotra, gongylus gongylodes) and than getting those... could you post a pic of the enclosure you keeping them?

 

[Birdfly]

Ive since changed the screen netting on the front from this fruit fly proof netting to a coarser grade 2-3mm black net curtain material, idolomantis can get a better grip on it with out breaking their tarsal claws and therefore not slipping at the next molt. I've not lost one to a slip, although from one pic above you can see i came close, but not for that reason

 

[Birdfly]

I have my first adult, a female: