blk mantis

[farmer john]

just got a blk. mantis from nicaraqua, anybody have any info?

 

[Gonodactylus]

Smasher or spearer?

Which coast?

Size?

Roy

 

[farmer john]

roy,2 equal claws (smasher)??? 5'' long, roy good question on coast,don"t know

 

[Gonodactylus]

I'm afraid I'm going to need a photo. Also, I can't think of any smasher that large from Central America (except Hemisquilla which is not black). Given the size, my first guess would be a Pseudosquilla ciliata from the Atlantic, but that is a spearer. The stomatopods from Nicaragua are not well known, but they should be pretty similar to what occurs in Costa Rican and Mexican collections.

Did this animal come from a collector? You have me really curious.

Roy

 

[farmer john]

Roy, sorry not set up for photos yet, my computer is ancient, new one is in the worksthough, i got it from a wholesaler in calif. john

 

[Gonodactylus]

Is it pure black or is there a peppering of white specs?

Roy

 

[farmer john]

Roy,pardon my ignorance first one, blue irredessent on frontsmashers? on the body in between the shell? it is red. no peppering of white,also blue irridessene on the ''wings'' hope that helps john

 

[Gonodactylus]

It is starting to sound like Neogonodactylus bahiahondensis from the Pacific. However, that is still just a guess.

Roy

 

[farmer john]

Thank'sfor your help,i went to the lurkers site& didn't see a picture either when i get my new computer i will post a picture& again thank's for your info john