Hierodula sp. "Sulawesi"

Hello Xavier,

determination based on photos are not possible. Especially in such a big genus like Hierodula.

Cheers,
Regina

Hi Regina, determination based on photo's is often not possible, I agree. However the picture that I found on the internet shows remarkable resemblance in the characteristic pattern of black dots on the inner side of the femur of the raptorials.

Since this species intrigued me I investigated a bit further and found some interesting references in the literature and reference collections.
First a species of Hierodula from Sulawesi, determined as Hierodula purpurescens (Collection RBINS - Natural History Museum of Brussels)
Here are some pictures:
[Blockierte Grafik: http://i1316.photobucket.com/a…/IMG_5646_zpsdgtbf6dn.jpg]

[Blockierte Grafik: http://i1316.photobucket.com/a…/IMG_5647_zpsb3ao3iuq.jpg]
Note that the black markings on the coxa and femur are identical.

You can also check for this species on Mantodea speciesfile (the direct link doesn't work otherwise I would have placed it here!)

Link to the original species description:
http://www.biodiversitylibrary…bliography/16181#/summary

These are printscreens from this publication:
[Blockierte Grafik: http://i1316.photobucket.com/a…0sulawesi_zpsxiqjz3c0.jpg]
yes it is in latin.
This is the figure that corresponds with H. purpurescens:
[Blockierte Grafik: http://i1316.photobucket.com/a…purescens_zpsn0ien39f.jpg]

The details are a little blurry but I think it is safe to assume that we are dealing with Hierodula purpurescens.
Probably in culture for the very first time.

Hi Xavier,

I hope you might get an response by someone who can get you a qualified answer.
Unfortunately I can't help you with that...

Regina

The holotype female is store at SMFD Frankfurt, let us wait for Christian's conclusion

After receiving the specimens, I can confirm that this species seems to be indeed Hierodula purpurescens Br. v. W., 1898. Even though you were right this time, I strongly argue against attempts to ID species after pictures, whether of live specimens or figures in publications. In older publications, such figures may have not been accurate, and sometimes species described later are compared with previous ones without providing a figure. Luckily, this species has a characteristic color pattern on the forelegs, and more importantly, this pattern seems to be rather stable.

If you want a species to be IDed faster, you have to send me specimens as soon as possible.

Good to have a confirmation.

Hallo,

coole Bilder!

Sind die Mädels eigentlich immer so dick?

Nabend,

zum Verpaaren it es schon sinnvoll, wenn die Weiber entsprechend fett sind. Wobei auch das (siehe oben) kein Garant für das Männchen ist.
Wenn man entsprechend große Ootheken will, ist es auch nicht von Nachteil darauf zu achten, dass die Weiber nicht zwischen drin zu dünn werden.

Grüße,
Regina