Recent content by Kevin

If it is capable of catching prey you should probably let it live - and it will do fine. Usually it seems that deformities result in either little impact to the mantid's health or a severe decline (not much middle ground in my experience). So if it looks like it is declining then you can...

I received another perfect shipment of mantid nymphs from Yen. As always they were perfectly packaged, all arrived safe and sound, and extras were included too! Always a pleasure doing business with him. Kevin

Rick is quite correct. As long as you obtain flies in the culture they are safe to feed (they won't be tainted). You might want to cut down a bit on your yeast - I find the cultures get more slime when I use more yeast. It only take a little bit - 10 to 20 grains of granulated active yeast to...

Not quite sure from our description what is going wrong but here are a couple of suggestions. First light is not that important. The ambinet light in any room should be fine. Make sure the cultures never get hit by direct sunlight. That will kill the cultures very quickly. To make a culture...

I think there are better species to start with than the Chinese. If you want a larger mantis the Spohodromantis sp. (Africa) as suggested by Rick is easy and hardy, Heirodula sp. (India and Asia) are robust and large, and Paraspendale sp. are also a good possibilty. If you like small mantids...

I received a package of mantid nymphs and some housefly pupae from Nick Barta at MantidPlace.com Terrific packing job with each nymph in an individual container - all made it safely. Great email communications. Highly recommended. Kevin

Just wanted to praise Yen - I recevied some Gambian boxers from him and some Oxythespis oothecae (a grass mantis). Everything was received in perfect condition and very quickly. The boxers are a wonderful little mantis. Thanks Yen!

Greetings! My name is Kevin and I live in the Washington DC area with my wife, kids and three labrador retrievers. I have been interested in mantids, and raised many species, over the last 38 years (yes years). I became interested in mantids when I was 11 and living in Walton-on-Thames not...