Phyllocrania paradoxa, Ghost Mantis gallery

[papilio]

My first mantis ... Must get more!!

Raising a Phyllocrania paradoxa is a no-brainer, but I'd like to get an Idolomantis diabolica next ... I've heard that these are more difficult, and would love to hear of others' experiences with them. Thanks.



































Phyllocrania paradoxa, Ghost Mantis, 1-inch by _papilio, on Flickr





[video=youtube;EXePI6uzcp0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXePI6uzcp0[/video]

 

[Ambly]

They are really spectacular creatures - I kept one, I plan to get another some time. In my experience, getting used to flying prey is by far the most difficult thing to keeping them - otherwise very simple though. Spectacular creatures to watch grow and complicate with each molt.

 

[papilio]

Thanks Ambly! It'll be fun to watch them grow, they seem to go through so many costumes!

 

[Silberrücken]

Beautiful shots, and awesome video! Love the swaying motion. Mantids are really cool. Someday I will get another one. (I had what the locals call a Bark Mantis)

 

[papilio]

Beautiful shots, and awesome video! Love the swaying motion. Mantids are really cool. Someday I will get another one. (I had what the locals call a Bark Mantis)

Thanks Silberrücken!

Guess what? I just now noticed that it has molted within the past 12hrs or so, and I missed it again!! Oh well, maybe I can get some good macros of the exuvia.
Would LOVE to watch a mantis molt though!

 

[Silberrücken]

Guess what? I just now noticed that it has molted within the past 12hrs or so, and I missed it again!! Oh well, maybe I can get some good macros of the exuvia.
Would LOVE to watch a mantis molt though!

Awwww! Sorry that you missed the molt! I look forward to the macros of the exuvia!

I've never seen one molt... going to look for that on YT, LOL.

 

[boosh96]

Your mantis is beautiful! I just got two babies, and they're seriously just as cool as my tarantulas. I've been planning what to get next ever since I got these two.

 

[papilio]

... and they're seriously just as cool as my tarantulas.

Agreed! :biggrin:

 

[hibiscusmile]

Wait till you see them in green!

 

[pardozer]

Awesome pics! I just bought 3 this past weekend! Last year my friend put one in his grow room... it molted and turned green! Green Ghosts look awesome!

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk

 

[papilio]

Wait till you see them in green!

Awesome pics! I just bought 3 this past weekend! Last year my friend put one in his grow room... it molted and turned green! Green Ghosts look awesome!

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk

Thanks hibiscusmile and pardozer! Man, would I love to see that!

 

[hibiscusmile]

greenie

I will try to take a pic today for you.

 

[bluefrogtat2]

great pics,one of my faves
I also tried idolomantis,bought 5 but unfortunately none made it to adulthood

 

[Ambly]

You will see it molt, and it will be awesome. Sadly, their lifespan is short. I witnessed my male flying once, it was awesome.

 

[papilio]

You will see it molt, and it will be awesome. Sadly, their lifespan is short. I witnessed my male flying once, it was awesome.

Thanks Ambly, I hope to catch it one time ... SOOOO close this time, it was right next to me on my desk as it molted and I missed it. Would've made such awesome photos! :biggrin:

 

[Micrathena]

Love these things, they look like alien xenomorphs. I hope to buy one soon.

 

[hibiscusmile]

Not good pics, but I am known for not good pics!

 

[papilio]

Phyllocrania paradoxa, Ghost Mantis, 1.5-inch

 

[hibiscusmile]

:giggle:lol! nice! showoff!

 

[papilio]

:giggle:lol! nice! showoff!

hehe
Sorry ... new camera and lens!