She passed late last night or early this morning. You could see it coming, loss of appetite, lethargic movements, se had been hanging under the same branch for the past day or so. She was found directly below where she had previously been hanging, laying thorax facing up.
The tragedy of dying a virgin.
Rest in Peace little gal.
Celeste
Awww! I know just how you feel: my Dead Leaf Mantis (Deroplatys lobata) died a few months ago -- a virgin because I couldn't find a mate for her. She produced two ootheca, but of course neither was fertile. So sad!
You have my condolences... Mantises are awfully endearing, aren't they?
balam
You are so right Celeste, Mantids never fail to leave me at an awe!
Right now I am trying to be conservative so I only have a P. agrionina young female.
I wish i knew exactly how many molts she has had, but i know when i got it from Francisco at the Pomona fair she was in a small cup and had recently molted (the molt was still in the cup). She molted once more while in my care, but that was about a month and half ago, beautiful and rich white and brown on her abdomen. Can't wait for the next molt!
