Packing for shipping live mantis
Our method for shipping mantids evolved over time. We have several different methods but one is used for 90% of all nymphs we ship. There are many breeders who use their own methods and can be fine.
I have several hard rules when mine are packed.
- No Tape! Tape is a wonderful tool but deadly to mantids and most insects. We’ve eliminated it from mantis containers.
- Mantids are fed and watered heavily the day before and of shipping.
- Any signs of molting means don’t ship. It’s a problem as shipping often induces molting delivering a crippled pet is a sad thing.
- Use something for the mantis to hold on too. It’s going to be a rough ride. We use an adhesive Velcro disk. I sometimes have trouble thinking about what may happen along the way in transit.? Frightening it is and bounce slam dunk OMG! But then I remember how resilient they are. Getting carried by the wind hundreds of feet in the air, bouncing off trees and windows as if like rubber. And we can only pray…. And they do make it. We have a 95+ successful live shipping rate when shipped next day air as we recommend.
- And please! Watch me damn tarsis! My TOES mate, don’t you see I use them to hang on to the lids just as your snapping it closed! I can’t help it!
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orchid mantis evolutionary research
The orchid mantis (Hymenopus coronatus) transitions from black-and-red to pink-white coloration during development, a shift driven by the Redboy pigment transporter. This transition serves different ecological functions: red coloration helps hatchlings mimic stink bugs for predator avoidance, while the pink-white coloration of older nymphs provides floral camouflage for both predator avoidance and prey attraction. The Redboy transporter, upregulated by ecdysone, facilitates this shift by exporting red pigments in early stages and importing white pigments in later stages.
Evolutionary Basis:
Redboy's Role:
The Redboy transporter, a novel ABCG transporter, arose by gene family expansion and positive selection, specifically to handle the transition from red to white coloration, according to research on Nature.
Hormonal Regulation:
The hormone ecdysone regulates Redboy, ensuring the pigment transition happens at the appropriate developmental stage, according to research on ResearchGate.
Genetic Adaptation:
The evolutionary changes in Redboy have allowed orchid mantises to adapt their body color to different life stages and ecological niches.
Ecological Functions:
Aposematic Mimicry (Hatchlings):
The initial black-and-red coloration serves as a warning signal, mimicking the appearance of stink bugs, which are known to be distasteful or toxic to predators.
Camouflage (Older Nymphs):
The pink-white coloration provides floral camouflage, helping the mantis blend in with flowers and avoid detection by predators.
Prey Attraction:
The flower-like appearance also attracts unsuspecting prey, such as small insects, to their location, enhancing the mantis's hunting success.
In summary, the orchid mantis's body color transition is a fascinating example of ontogenetic camouflage and adaptive evolution, where the color changes throughout the mantis's life serve distinct ecological roles in where the color changes throughout the mantis's life serve distinct ecological roles in predator avoidance and prey attraction.
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Mantis fly Mantispidae, very special insect
Mantispidae, they don’t sting! 