Also I have 2 new Stomatopods incoming :D
1 of them I have seen and it is a nice fat healthy G.smithii that is looking for a home
The other....a prize species that I have been after and thought I HAD, its a L.maculata (Morgoth is a L.sulcata) I have not seen this L.maculata yet but the person whom got it is positive of its identity also.....its quite large which leads me to believe he is rite about the species....The best way for "the avg joe" to tell the difference between a L.sulcata & L.maculata is mere size, if the 'zebra' stomatopod is over 200mm long its likely a L.maculata if its smaller then its 50/50.
He has told me that although he couldn't get an accurate measurement of the animal they estimate it between 250mm-300mm which leads me to believe its a L.maculata further more it is likely a MALE since females spend even more time hiding below sand then males, in the worst case scenario where only 1 L.maculata is captured and provided to the buyer and if the buyer isn't trying to pair it with a female he/she already has, basically leaving the lone Male L.maculata as a Display animal, it is the better of the 2 (male / female) to get (in my opinion) Males have more of the "larger" attributes, eyes, appendages/weapons, all the things that allow it to do what 2 'zebras' can do because when they pair he DOES do it all, she does nothing but brood eggs and tend the tunnel.
In short, Males are better for Display then females if only 1 can be obtained.
Good Example - Male top / Female below
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/arthro...umalacostraca/royslist/images/l_maculata2.jpg