Uploaded February 2011 | Updated September 2026, 10 hours ago
Phyllovates chlorophaea - One of the most exotic looking North American species. This is the first time I got to witness any of them molt. They're pretty sneaky but I got lucky this time. She does some crazy cool dance moves starting around 03:00! Once out of the skin and she fully expands her abdomen you can see the bright red stripes normally hidden by the wings of adults.
You also get to see one of her tankmates get defensive. Unicorns are a very docile, non-aggressive species but the adult females can get cannibalistic when they're plumping up for ooth production. They don't seem to bother the egg-bound female Violin I keep with them, but they look menacingly toward the lone remaining subadult. Had to take the adult girls from the tank until their little sister molts which should be within a few days. Her wing buds are already swollen so it won't be long now.
Music by Precarious
Photos here:
mantidforum.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=20496
To use this video in a commercial player, advertising or in broadcasts, please email Viral Spiral: contact@viralspiralgroup.com
Phyllovates chlorophaea - One of the most exotic looking North American species. This is the first time I got to witness any of them molt. They're pretty sneaky but I got lucky this time. She does some crazy cool dance moves starting around 03:00! Once out of the skin and she fully expands her abdomen you can see the bright red stripes normally hidden by the wings of adults.
You also get to see one of her tankmates get defensive. Unicorns are a very docile, non-aggressive species but the adult females can get cannibalistic when they're plumping up for ooth production. They don't seem to bother the egg-bound female Violin I keep with them, but they look menacingly toward the lone remaining subadult. Had to take the adult girls from the tank until their little sister molts which should be within a few days. Her wing buds are already swollen so it won't be long now.
Music by Precarious
Photos here:
mantidforum.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=20496
To use this video in a commercial player, advertising or in broadcasts, please email Viral Spiral: contact@viralspiralgroup.com
