Africa Wild

Yay! There were only 2 Tarachodes on the KTP list, so naturally I looked up T. lucubrans first, and there was almost the exact little face as mine, so was pretty sure that was it. However, there is also a Tarachodes sp. listed, so I wasn’t 100%.

Tarachodidae Tarachodinae Tarachodini Tarachodes lucubrans: Twee Rivieren
https://specimens.mantodearesearch.com/specimen/1653 https://specimens.mantodearesearch.com/specimen/1652
Tarachodidae Tarachodinae Tarachodini Tarachodes sp.: Twee Rivieren

A couple of questions before I write it up (i.e. Copy and Paste your research ):
1. Are both entries the same species? The head of the first one looks different (doesn’t show the conical tubercles for ex.) and the eye configuration is different from the second entry.

2. When you write this “This is visible in the first specimen. When moving or hunting, however, the same specimen may hold its head in a forward pointing position as displayed by the second specimen.” Is this referring to my posted specimens, or external pics being referred to?

Very interesting info. You dug up - made me smile.

ExFmem wrote: ↑Tue Jan 12, 2021 9:47 pm A couple of questions before I write it up (i.e. Copy and Paste your research ):
1. Are both entries the same species? The head of the first one looks different (doesn’t show the conical tubercles for ex.) and the eye configuration is different from the second entry.

Exactly my thoughts, but after reactivating my spatial thinking skills, I found that the elevated tubercles don't show and the ocelli look different if you look at it from above. Have been contemplating, rotating images in my mind , looking and thinking for quite a while and I am convinced now: It's one and the same species.

ExFmem wrote: ↑Tue Jan 12, 2021 9:47 pm 2. When you write this “This is visible in the first specimen. When moving or hunting, however, the same specimen may hold its head in a forward pointing position as displayed by the second specimen.” Is this referring to my posted specimens, or external pics being referred to?

Referring to your posted specimens

Change the wording if you are capable of better descriptions, my English is not the bestest

(Your English is perfect!)

While the grass mantid/stick mantid entries are still fresh in your mind, here are two more from 2017 KTP. They were taken 2 weeks apart. Maybe females, with the shorter antennae?

2017 KTP 1

2017 KTP 2

Yep, the females are less slim, larger and wingless.

Add them to the post!

The wingless condition is assumed to aid in camouflage.

Make sense if the wings are somewhat shiny in the males.


Do you remember where you have seen these? Are they on the ground in the grass? The photos do look like daytime, perhaps this species does not hunt moths at night.

Klipspringer wrote: ↑Wed Jan 13, 2021 6:11 pm Yep, the females are less slim, larger and wingless.

Add them to the post!

The wingless condition is assumed to aid in camouflage.

Make sense if the wings are somewhat shiny in the males.


Do you remember where you have seen these? Are they on the ground in the grass? The photos do look like daytime, perhaps this species does not hunt moths at night.

Yes, they were both taken in the daytime - the first at Twee R in the grasses, and I can't remember exactly what camp we were in two weeks later, but definitely daytime on the ground.

(I added them to the entry)

Huge beetle - 5cm body!

Nelspruit

Richprins wrote: ↑Sat Jan 16, 2021 5:43 pm Huge beetle - 5cm body!

Nelspruit

I can not determine which longhorn beetle it is

Impressive one however!

Thanks Klipspringer

Richprins wrote: ↑Sat Jan 16, 2021 5:43 pm Huge beetle - 5cm body!

Nelspruit

Is this a recent observation?

Are you sure that you don't overestimate the size?