Strange liquid on the abdomen

[Shipi]

Hi!

One of my friend was bought some S. lateralis to his Mantodea. Only 2 specimens left (adult female) and he just spot a strange grey liquid on the end of the abdomen. Here is the picture: http://img517.imageshack.us/i/csotany.png/

Do you know what is it?

Thank you!

P.s.: Sorry about my english ^^

Shipi

 

[Ralph]

That's a normal defensive secretion made mostly by females and nymphs. It's sticky and smells weird but mantids should be able to get around it easily.

 

[Shipi]

Okey, thx ^^

 

[Zephyr]

I believe it's uric acid. Somewhere I read it's secreted for defense and after mating.

 

[Ralph]

I believe it's uric acid. Somewhere I read it's secreted for defense and after mating.

It's proteinaceous. I think it does play a role in mating in at least some species though.