Sexing Pseudosquilla ciliata.

[Creade]

I recently acquired a yellow morph Pseudosquilla ciliata.( I believe it is a Pseudosquilla ciliata, however the first time i tried to feed it, it smashed the chopstick I was using, creating a sound all too common from a smasher.) I wish to know what sex it is but am not sure how to tell. Its pure yellow except for a small black mark, which almot looks like a scratch on its left side. This mantis was housed by a friend for the last 6 months, has molted about 4 times, and is still BRIGHT yellow. I will get a picture as soon as possible (it really likes the rockwork in its tank and doesnt let me get good pics), but I was hoping i could get some idea how to sex it myself. Thanks for anyone who can help me out!

Creade

 

[Gonodactylus]

There is no way that you can sex a P. ciliata by color pattern. You have to look at the genitalia. The quick description is that the male has a pair of gonopods (penises) protruding from the base of the last pair of walking legs. They are relatively simple tubes about 1/3 the length of the leg. They are rather flacid when the animal is not sexually excited, but do become turgid during mating. The tips of the gonopods are inserted into a pair of gonopores (vagina?) that are found on the ventral midline between the first pair of walking legs. These are harder to see, but look for a "figure 8" structure. I posted severa photos of stomatopod sex on this sight a year or so ago.

Roy

 

[Creade]

Thanks so much. When it feeds it runs up the stick I use, maybe i can snap a pic and we can get a decent look!

Creade