When to Sex Molt

[lackdawa]

When should you generally attempt to sex a molt? Most of my T's are 1/2-1" unsexed slings, as they grow I don't think it's necessary to check every single molt but what is the appropriate DLS to sex a molt?

 

[TownesVanZandt]

In theory you can do it at any size if you have an intact moult and a stereoscopic microscope.

 

[jrh3]

Anything under 1” is very hard for me to sex, I try to wait until they are around 2 inches and then, still is hard to tell. Sometimes I get lucky and can sex them small but usually not.

 

[lackdawa]

In theory you can do it at any size if you have an intact moult and a stereoscopic microscope.

Would a 300-1200x microscope be sufficient?

 

[The Grym Reaper]

By eye from around 2", you can sex at smaller sizes if you're good at unravelling tiny moults and have a microscope.

 

[TownesVanZandt]

Would a 300-1200x microscope be sufficient?

I just wait until I can sex them by eye, but a friend of mine uses a 5-250x microscope so 300-1200x will be more than sufficient.

 

[RoachCoach]

Would a 300-1200x microscope be sufficient?

If it is legit 1200x objective then you will have enough detail to see into that spiders past. 300x is more than enough.

 

[jrh3]

I just wait until I can sex them by eye, but a friend of mine uses a 5-250x microscope so 300-1200x will be more than sufficient.

What model scope is he using? I am always looking for a better model.

 

[TownesVanZandt]

What model scope is he using? I am always looking for a better model.

I will have to ask him and get back to you.

 

[TownesVanZandt]

What model scope is he using? I am always looking for a better model.

He´s using a USB microscope from Somikon. It was fairly cheap (around 50 EUR) but it apparently does the trick as long as the moult is intact.

 

[viper69]

Would a 300-1200x microscope be sufficient?

Yep

 

[ShadowLink]

If it is legit 1200x objective then you will have enough detail to see into that spiders past. 300x is more than enough.

I hear that's how Ancestry.com does it.