Lovely Phyllocrania illudens

[BoyFromLA]

Oh yes, lovely indeed.

 

[The Seraph]

Love it! Are they similar to Paradoxa?

 

[BoyFromLA]

Very much indeed, but quite honestly I have no idea how they are different from each other.

 

[The Seraph]

Very much indeed, but quite honestly I have no idea how they are different from each other.

I was researching them and apparently they (Illudens) have larger crowns and are slightly larger. Where did you get it?

 

[BoyFromLA]

I was researching them and apparently they (Illudens) have larger crowns and are slightly larger. Where did you get it?

I was at the recent Repticon in Los Angeles, and I got it for $15.

 

[Major 78]

P. Paradoxa and P. Illudens are very closely related. P. Illudens tend to have noticeably larger crowns than P. Paradoxa and are slightly larger. P. Illudens also have more colors, even a bright red!

 

[dragonfire1577]

Very cool, my friend has a group of these guys they are great.

 

[BoyFromLA]

It molted today!

 

[BoyFromLA]

Phyllocrania illudens is having a first meal after recent molt.

 

[BoyFromLA]

 

[Major 78]

View attachment 296357

View attachment 296358

View attachment 296359

Just saying just in case you didn't know (you almost definitely do) that is a female.

 

[BoyFromLA]

Just saying just in case you didn't know (you almost definitely do) that is a female.

Is it? I have no idea honestly.

 

[Major 78]

Is it? I have no idea honestly.

Oh, OK. It's just because of shape of crown. Do you keep any other mantids? If you need some I have PLENTY. (In exchange for a T of course lol)

 

[BoyFromLA]

Oh, OK. It's just because of shape of crown. Do you keep any other mantids? If you need some I have PLENTY. (In exchange for a T of course lol)

It’s the only mantis I have. I love mantis a lot, but since life span of mantis is only about one to two years max, I don’t plan to keep them many. For this one I just really wanted to keep one to see how it grows.

 

[Major 78]

It’s the only mantis I have. I love mantis a lot, but since life span of mantis is only about one to two years max, I don’t plan to keep them many. For this one I just really wanted to keep one to see how it grows.

Do you know what instar it is/ how long ago was it born? Looks about L5 to me but not sure.

 

[BoyFromLA]

Do you know what instar it is/ how long ago was it born? Looks about L5 to me but not sure.

Not exactly sure, but I would say around L4ish.

 

[Major 78]

Not exactly sure, but I would say around L4ish.

Ok, L4-5 was my guess. Very pretty!

 

[BoyFromLA]

It’s dinner time!

 

[BoyFromLA]

Yet another dinner time.

 

[BoyFromLA]

It just molted, and it grew in size quite a bit.