I.D. Mantis

[Shia]

Dr. Ron
I have received a mantis was wondering what kind it is. When this pic was taken his body was dark red with green eyes, now he is basically green all over. He is also a smasher.

 

[rshimek]

Hi,

I am afraid I can't get any where from such a small image.

I am moving this to the mantis forum, maybe you will find some more helpful there.

 

[Shia]

I won't be able to post up a pic, is there any other way to I.D. a mantis?

 

[Gonodactylus]

It appears to be in the genus Neogonodactylus and probably is N. oerstedii but there are three or four other very similar species that it could be. My guess is that it came from Florida.

Roy

 

[Shia]

would his behavior help to I.D. it?
The mants live in a small hole in a rock and usually at night it covers up the hole in the rock so nothing can come in. I really has not left the rock and his eyes are green with a red mid section.

 

[Gonodactylus]

All Neogonodactylus exhibit the same basic behavior with respect to their cavities. They are diurnal and close around sunset and open at dawn. The red/orange color between the eyes suggests that you have N. curacaoensis or N. wennerae. N. wennerae is by far the most common species showing up in live rock. N. curacaoensis is easy to identify because its dactly heels (the part of the appendage that it smashes with) are bright blue) (Image of N. curacaoensis attached)


Roy

 

[msjn771]

My mants has green eyes, and the mid section of his body is red. His entire head appears to be green, wish he looked like the mants in the picture

 

[Gonodactylus]

Female N. wennerae are often reddish. THat is probably what you have.

Roy

 

[Shia]

Thanks Roy for the I.D. Would you have a website by chance that has info N.wennerae and Neogonodactylus?

 

[Shia]

I did a closer look on the mantis and discovered his legs are ligh green, eyes dark green, mid section of body redish green.