Check Mantis ID (need to know if I have ID'd him correctly)

[Jayded]

Hi all,
After much difficulty in getting a decent pic of my Mantis, I finally got one and think its enough to identify it. My LFS told me it was a peacock but I was pretty sure it wasnt as the colouring was different but then I was still unsure. I then believed it was a Purple-Spotted Mantis. I thought it was between those two. But now that I have a picture (not the best picture but still a picture) I am now thinking it is a Gonodactylaceus ternatensis. Some of the colouring is still not quite the same but its the closest comparison I can find. Can anyone confirm?

Thanks

(Actually after reading the description again perhaps its a female Gonodactylaceus ternatensis?)

 

[mickey85]

it's got a yellow meral spot - not orange, like a Tern.

I'd guess it might be a G. Falcatus or H. Stoliura if I'm reading Roy's list right...Does it have the red intersegmental lines?

Of course, it could be a Tern and the picture changed the color, but I'm going off of what I can see.

 

[mattyice]

my thought was a tern. but i dont believe it is because the antennal scales dont match that of those on a G. tern.

 

[Jayded]

Thanks guys,
Its definitly not G. Falcatus or H. Stoliura as their bodies arent green with the red lines. The spot is more orange than the pic shows, the pic didnt come out as good as it looked on the camera screen.

Its body is exactly like the pic below (from Dr Roys list under ternatensis) - green with the red segment lines. The the antennal scales are more like this one too, an orangy colour. Also going by Dr Roys list "females with orange or yellow antennal scales" which is why I assumed maybe female like the one in the pic below appears.

I need to get a better pic. I will be moving it to a better tank soon and will be able to get a better pic when the rock is removed.

 

[Gonodactylus]

When I looked at the picture above, the yellow - with a slight greenish tinge - said G. falcatus. However, I have never seen a G.f. with red intersegmental lines, so if you say the meral spots are more orange, then I would have to say it is a G. ternatensis. One other characteristic of G. t is the large mottled pattern on the merus of the raptorial appendages. You can clearly see this in my G. t female photo reproduced above.

Roy

 

[Jayded]

I had a look at the G. Falcatus, definitly isnt that colour in the body. I am going to try and get a better pic once I remove the rock. Should be able to get a much clearer pic then and will repost.

 

[Jayded]

Ok heres a few more pics. For some reason my camera isnt getting clear pics like it usually does (time for a new one I think!)

The segments havent come out as red as they look in the flesh but I am still undecided as to what he is. Still cant find anything exactly like him.

 

[mickey85]

yeah, it's a tern.

 

[Jayded]

Ok great. I can see the comparisons more clearly now using those pics. Now I know what kind of set up to move her to!
Thanks again