Arilus cristatus nymph update

[Praxibetelix]

It molted he/she is an adult. Apparently we found it as a 4th instar. My understanding is that true bugs usually have 5 instars.

Photos:

 

[Praxibetelix]

Couple shots of it after the orange color changed to gray.

 

[billrogers]

Wow! Thanks for sharing those near photos! Your lucky you saw it shedding.

 

[pannaking22]

Great documentation of the molting! Thanks for the update too!

 

[Praxibetelix]

Oh, thanks! I am trying to figure out how to post a little 15second video of him ( i think it is a male) breaking the bronchial tubes and coming all the way out of the molt!! Will add to this thread when i can figure it out.

 

[Praxibetelix]

Does this video link work?
::Edit:: looks like the video link works.

Enjoy! You can hear my daughter, my brother, and myself whispering in the background lol, it was an exciting moment for us!

 

[Praxibetelix]

An interesting observation: the nymph was unable to climb the sides of the kritter keeper, however, the adult is able to. It now likes to hang out on the ceiling of the enclosure.