Thread: Amazing stick insect

Originally Posted by Ftx325

Aren't the imported non native mantis's the more aggressive than the local breed @JessicaChen ?
It's Wetas that seem particularly partial to try taking chunks out of my fingers. We have a surprising amount of them on our suburban property. We found what I think is a whole family last weekend hiding in an old wooden fold up chair. Big female , medium size male and two definitely very young ones .

Mine are all the imported african ones, aggression toward fingers seems to vary according to the individual mantis. I wish I had some native ones to at least breed and release into my garden, and to see if finger aggression is the same (for science).
I do know that the african ones do consume our native ones, and they can also reproduce without needing sperm which is a big advantage over our natives. The female african ones can have babies that have the exact same DNA as their mother which is a phenomenon known as parthenogenesis.

The male wetas do have the gear for a good finger chomping! They like to kick too. Havent been bitten by a male but have been kicked by a female. The huhu beetles will attempt some biting as well.

The last one that got me was a large female I think ( had the long stinger looking tube poking out the back- egg laying? ) with bloody great big fang things (yes that's the scientific term I believe) like crab pincers on it's face .
It drew a large amount of blood by the time I (gently) convinced it to let go.....
I had wondered if it was some previously undiscovered vampire breed......