Can someone clarify for me what Instar/L1, L2, etc. a Mantid is at when first out of Ootheca within a few hours? L1 vs L2

I'm confused on the usage of L1 vs L2 when the baby nymph mantids are 1st born.  When they first shed out of the ootheca, it seems like certain websites state that they are already L2 because coming out of the egg and expanding on their thin thread is already a molt right at birth.  So when they shed in 1 week approximately (for Tenodera Sinensis at least), they are technically going from L2 to L3, right?  It seems to me that most people who list their mantids online are using the nomenclature of L1 being used for birth to the 1st molt about a week later.  Therefore, L2 would be used when they first shed and leave a shell exoskeleton behind which makes sense to me but take a look at this chart for ghost mantids.  Also, is L1 a correlate of first instar, etc.   Any clarification would be greatly appreciated!! ted!  

They are L1 when coming out of the egg-case. After their first actual molt they are L2. Technically they are L0 in the egg.

Thanks so much!  So the diagram above is not technically correct then.  

FamilyMantis said:

Thanks so much!  So the diagram above is not technically correct then.  

Click to expand...

Correct.  

- MantisGirl13