Platymeris. Mombo (Orange assassin bugs)

[Thrasher]

I have a question about Platymeris. Mombo (Orange assassin bugs) are they parthenogenic? and are most mombos out there females? I have 2 and they look the same i would assume that they are eitehr both males or females....it would be awsome if they don't need males to reproduce...

thanks..

Harry

 

[What]

Just in case you dont know...these are illegal to keep without a permit from the USDA/APHIS and this permit is not currently being given to individuals. Soo...posting up about keeping them probably is not the best idea.

 

[Matt K]

They do need males/females to reproduce and are not parthenogenic. Males and females look VERY similar, so you may have to stare at several before you recognize the differences.

As for legal: The government does not care about owning them. They care about importing them. You should get a permit, however if you do not they are not likely to enforce that regulation. I have already been through the Federal-agents-visiting-my-house wringer ...

 

[moose35]

there is an ok book written on them pm me you address and i'll mail it to you to read.


moose

 

[bobsleaf]

I have a red spot assassin that has laid eggs a couple of days ago. Are these eggs therefore infertile?

 

[Acro]

The question of Assassin Bug Legalities pops up now and again, always causes a debate. I will post the link that responds to this question. Note that it also leads to another link
http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/show...light=Assassin

Thrasher,
It was rumored for a while that the African assassins were parthenogenic but from my experiences and that of many others, it seems that they are, infact, not parthenogenic. The male/female raito seems to be about 50/50. It is difficult to tell the sexes appart.

bobsleaf,
Did your redspot breed? If not, keep the eggs anyway and let us know how it turns out. I doubt they will hatch, but the rumor came from somewhere!