Uploaded April 2014 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago
Euchomenella heteroptera nymphs, like all mantids, emerge in an egg case they slowly pull out of. In the egg case they are compressed with a volume of fluid stored in their swollen head. In this video you get a very clear view of this amazing process.
Points of interest:
00:34 The egg case splits along the back, just as happens later in life when the nymph molts from the old skin, and the nymph begins to wriggle its body out one segment at a time.
01:18 It then works at pulling out the long antennae and limbs.
01:42 Once the limbs are out the nymph will hang until the carapace begins to harden in its new shape, all the while pumping the fluid stored in the head into the expanded volume of its new body.
02:49 Here you can see the store of fluid in the head with pulsing valves and muscles forcing it into the expanding body.
03:10 You can clearly see the three primitive eyes, or ocellus, used for light detection. They're situation above the base of each antenna with one between.
03:30 The egg case includes a reinforced cap that covers the top of the fluid filled head. I believe it is used to help the nymph avoid damage as it pushes out of the ootheca (egg sack). You can clearly see it pop off and remain connected to the egg case as the nymph continues to squirm out. This also allows for a clearer view of the valves working inside the transparent head.
03:50 Nymphs drop on a thread to different distances from the ootheca. This allows for more to emerge without becoming overcrowded and interfering with each other. You can see how there are multiple groups each at different a level.
04:39 Here we see a fully extended nymph next to those just exiting the ootheca. It's amazing that long slender body, only moments ago, was compressed in a package only a third of its final length.
04:46 Finally we see just how tiny these guys are as one sits on my finger tip.
Soundtrack by Precarious
To use this video in a commercial player, advertising or in broadcasts, please email Viral Spiral: contact@viralspiralgroup.com
Euchomenella heteroptera nymphs, like all mantids, emerge in an egg case they slowly pull out of. In the egg case they are compressed with a volume of fluid stored in their swollen head. In this video you get a very clear view of this amazing process.
Points of interest:
00:34 The egg case splits along the back, just as happens later in life when the nymph molts from the old skin, and the nymph begins to wriggle its body out one segment at a time.
01:18 It then works at pulling out the long antennae and limbs.
01:42 Once the limbs are out the nymph will hang until the carapace begins to harden in its new shape, all the while pumping the fluid stored in the head into the expanded volume of its new body.
02:49 Here you can see the store of fluid in the head with pulsing valves and muscles forcing it into the expanding body.
03:10 You can clearly see the three primitive eyes, or ocellus, used for light detection. They're situation above the base of each antenna with one between.
03:30 The egg case includes a reinforced cap that covers the top of the fluid filled head. I believe it is used to help the nymph avoid damage as it pushes out of the ootheca (egg sack). You can clearly see it pop off and remain connected to the egg case as the nymph continues to squirm out. This also allows for a clearer view of the valves working inside the transparent head.
03:50 Nymphs drop on a thread to different distances from the ootheca. This allows for more to emerge without becoming overcrowded and interfering with each other. You can see how there are multiple groups each at different a level.
04:39 Here we see a fully extended nymph next to those just exiting the ootheca. It's amazing that long slender body, only moments ago, was compressed in a package only a third of its final length.
04:46 Finally we see just how tiny these guys are as one sits on my finger tip.
Soundtrack by Precarious
To use this video in a commercial player, advertising or in broadcasts, please email Viral Spiral: contact@viralspiralgroup.com
