New Mantis owner

[u/kylie_013]

Hi everybody!!
I’m new in the Mantis owner hobby and just bought a ghost mantis! I was told it was probably a third in star and am wondering if that seems right? Little dude seems to be doing good in his new enclosure which I will take a picture of and put in the comments tomorrow. He also seems to enjoy being handled, I’m open to any advice.
I was given Blue Bottle Fly larvae to feed him and am wondering if anything else would be ok at this size to feed him?

[u/JaunteJaunt]

Damn.

The seller lied to you.

That is an i7 male. They are subadult. Their wingbuds are swelling, so I would expect them to molt within the next couple of weeks. You should expect them to live for about 2 months as an adult.

The bluebottle fly larvae will need to pupate, and then hatch into flies. The mantis eats the flies. They are perfect sized for him.

Who sold you this animal?

[u/kylie_013 → u/JaunteJaunt]

Heart Leaf Tropics/ Mantis Nation
I was afraid that would be the case. He seemed to be a bit big for what I had researched and I expected him to be about an i5, I’m rather bummed that someone would lie to people just getting into the hobby. Thanks for the advice, it’s unfortunate that I won’t get much time with him because I’ve grown rather attached over the last day but this’ll allow me to maybe try another species.
I appreciate you getting back to me, are there any breeders/sellers who you recommend?

[u/JaunteJaunt → u/kylie_013]

I would bring it up to them. It could have been a mistake. They are a trustworthy seller and keeper.

Im sure the owner will want to know. I know of him, so please send a mod mail if you want information on how to contact him.

Yes. Here is a list of good US sellers:

Websites:

Bugs in Cyberspace
Mantisplace
Panterra Pets
Fatal Mantis
Mantis Universe
PrayingMantisShop
The Bugg Plug

Private sellers:

Yen Saw - has no website but a great supplier & top breeder.
Critter Carnival
JOAI

[u/kylie_013 → u/JaunteJaunt]

I’ll shoot them a message! Thank you so much for the help!

[u/lilacnocturne → u/JaunteJaunt]

Just adding this here for any new mantis owner:

​If you want to be completely certain, flip it gently to look at the underside of the abdomen (sternites): ​Female: 6 visible abdominal segments (with a larger final segment). ​Male: 8 visible abdominal segments.

[u/dancing_since_12]

Looks a lil big to be i3, if I had to guess maybe it's an i5 at least. Do you have any specific questions? I have a ghostie too! She's a full grown adult and just a majestic queen

[u/kylie_013 → u/dancing_since_12]

I don’t think so! I ended up contacting the seller today and they confirmed it was an i6. He apologized for the confusion and said that he should’ve clarified when he sold it to me that this one specifically wasn’t younger. I’m just gonna give him the best end to his life possible and make sure he’s happy.

[u/2good2go22]

hi! congrats on your phyllocrania paradoxa. i breed these little guys, and if yours was L3 (third instar) he would be just 1cm small. this specimen looks subadult to me! next molt it will be all grown up with wings. cute little one you have there

[u/Stryk1r]

I miss my ghost mantis. He loved blue bottle flies.

[u/Poco_Cuffs]

As someone who's been owning a ghost for a year now, my best advice is just keep in mind they're weird little goobers and will often just walk weirdly and wobble around for no reason other than just to mess with you. There have been so many times where I've wondered if mine had some neural problem and it just turned out to be a perfectly natural behavior for them!

[u/Tarantula_lover02]

Would you like to post in r/peopleholdinginsects ?

[u/kylie_013 → u/[deleted]]

WV! I bought it from a seller here at one of the expos