got my first mantid; and clues on ID?

death66 · Feb 9, 2005

the title says it all friends. i couldn't pass it up for a mere 15 bux! the lame tag at the shop said "african praying matis" so yeah, your typical void of true ID. well it is about 2.5 inches from head to mantid-butt and any ID help would be much help! thanx all!
Douglas

Sheldy · Feb 9, 2005

Sub adult, sphrodomantis sp. male i think, but cant be 100% sure unless i see a better picture of the abdomen.

death66 · Feb 9, 2005

thanx fer the help! abdomen, at what angle?

Sheldy · Feb 10, 2005

it needs to be side on so that you can count the segments on the underside. I wouldnt worry about it though, it looks like a male to me!

mimic58 · Feb 10, 2005

Well that sure as hell doesnt look like the common african mantis i had , I think you have something a little better there, No clue what though

Jesse607 · Feb 10, 2005

It would be nice to have a pic of the inside of the coxa (Their version of the bicep I suppose) of the prothoracic (front) legs, that way species ID may be possible. It may be Hierodula patellifera, they look very much like Sphodromantis spp. and have a lot of reddish/pink/purple "highlights".

death66 · Feb 10, 2005

i know its a large pic, so sorry! but does this help; any clue? thanx to all for the feedback!

bugsnstuff · Feb 11, 2005

Sphrodomantis meridionalis

without a doubt, although i could be wrong, lol, it could be gastrica

reptillian · Feb 13, 2005

it is definately a male you are right.

got my first mantid; and clues on ID?

death66

Arachnosquire

Sheldy

Arachnosquire

death66

Arachnosquire

Sheldy

Arachnosquire

mimic58

Arachnobaron

Jesse607

Arachnodemon

death66

Arachnosquire

bugsnstuff

Arachnoknight

reptillian

Arachnosquire