Oligonicella scudderi (Scudder's Mantis)

Introduction:

The Scudder's Mantis is among the smaller US mantids at one to one and a third inches long. The body is delicately striped lengthwise in brown and tan or can be solid brown.(Orin)

Oligonicella scudderi can be found from Nebraska to Florida.(Orin)

• Difficulty level: beginner, intermediate, advanced, or expert

Development:

• Rate of growth and factors involved
• Longevity
• Molting observations

Behavior/temperament:

Small nymphs do not eat each other and can be kept together safely in small cages until at least the fourth molt, if not to adulthood.(Orin)

• Degree of activity
• Degree of aggression or timidity
• Dynamics of threat display

Captive Environment:

Small nymphs do not eat each other and can be kept together safely in small cages until at least the fourth molt, if not to adulthood.(Orin)

• Temperature range and humidity levels
• Type and size of enclosure(s) used.
• Substrate or lack thereof
• Cage furnishings, e.g. molting surfaces, perches, décor, plants, etc.

Feeding:

Nymphs and adults feed well but only accept food animals that are a quarter the mass of the body or less. Hatchlings are incredibly tiny and require springtails or severely stunted D. melanogaster.(Orin)

Breeding:

Adult females have undeveloped wing pads while males' wings stretch nearly to the end of the abdomen.(Orin)

• Time needed from last molt to copulation
• Tips: give us your methodology.
• Tips for inducing copulation and fecundity
• Tips for inducing female to lay oothecae

Oothecae:

Oothecae contain just 10-20 eggs and are a quarter inch long by an eighth inch wide. Females produce ten or more oothecae and can form as many as three in a single night.(Orin)

Optional

• Health Issues: infections or illnesses encountered.
• Additional Observations: pertinent information which doesn't neatly fit anywhere else.
• Photos: up to five may be posted at the bottom of the completed template. Please limit these photos to no more than one of an ootheca, two of nymphs(different instars), one of an adult female, and one of an adult male.