Omothymus violaceopes (Singapore Blue) dimorphism?

[Clover Arms]

I got a free Singapore Blue juvie back in March from a purchase. It was about 1.5" at the time.

It has molted twice now and has remained hidden most of the time. The molts were not conclusive to sex because they were destroyed.

I just rehoused it thinking it's grown some, but not realizing how much it actually grew from March, now sporting about 3".

At first glance it appears brownish. I was told that if I hold a flashlight on it, at 3" I should be able to see blues coming through for females.

So, can I assume that this growing T is female?



Thanks for your help!

 

[NMTs]

Coloration can give you an idea of sex, but until they mature it's not a dependable method of sexing. There are multiple threads on the boards about dimorphism in this species (search by "violaceopes, dimorphism" because they used to be in Lampropelma). Differing opinions and experiences in all the threads, but the theme seems to be that they are easily sexed ventrally by finding the dot of epiandrous fusillae on the male, and coloring isn't reliable because there's too much variation. For example:

Lampropelma Violaceopes Sexual Dimorphism

Oddly, I've never raised a male to maturity. Just wait, it's coming. I usually seem to have 2 or 3 dozen MM's at any given time.

arachnoboards.com

 

[viper69]

I’ve only ever had males

Such a fast growing species, and the size gains are the largest Ive encountered including Poec54’s experience too.

 

[curtisgiganteus]

I’m my experience, the males wil retain more brown and green as they get bigger and the females will start to exhibit the blues that they are known for all around 3” If it’s still purple with its next molt I’d put money on it being female.

I’ve only ever had males

Such a fast growing species, and the size gains are the largest Ive encountered including Poec54’s experience too.

Easily the fastest growers I have kept as well. I recieved 0.0.3 in October 2021. The male matured a year later at 6” and passed a month ago. The two females are now past the 6” mark by a good margin and in premolt again.

 

[CrazyOrnithoctonineGuy]

My subadult has given me mixed signals; on the one hand, it's now over 4" across (hard to believe it was just 0.5" DLS less than a year ago) and still has a purple-ish coloration on its legs, but on the other hand it's not as purple/blue as I'd want and I might have seen (and photographed) the dot on its epiandrous fusillae, which unfortunately leads me to believe this one is male (I have 3 slings waiting in the wings to replace it should it hook out).