Foxhill

Hey long time! waiting on my 4th gen Malay Blue Hierodula ooths to hatch, Im still at it 😁 Ive gained experience in raising large numbers of Mantids and I now know how time consuming it is. It was taking me up to 4 hours a day, Changing kitchen roll in the deli cups, flying up and misting, I also let each nymph have a quick run around on my arms for exercise. Lots of work, plus it cannot be ignored but lots of fun. Anyway just thought Id pop in to tell you my progress.. hope your all keeping well. Peace!

I forgot to mention, I was trying to get a male on to a female and She didn’t seem keen so I thought  one more go and she turned round and grabbed him, Aaargh, that was my fault I thought. After eating the head and front legs the male, what was left , walked and climbed on board and successfully mated with her. First time I’ve witnessed that. Wow.  I’m just popping in now and then to tell you my progress for what it’s worth, I don’t know any other Mantid fanciers here in rainy old England. Keep it up And most importantly... Have fun, see ya ✌️ 

Heterochaeta orientalis adult female, hope your all well, long time! Im still at it. Latest update my Malaysian Blue Hierodula nymphs I produced have made it to adult 3rd generation attempt today unsuccessful but no losses. Fertile Orchid Ooth in the House!  looks like the photo memory thing has been sorted out, may throw some more snaps down. Big up the forum.. Peace!

Hi Folks, I hope you are all keeping well and doing your thing, here's the Ghost Orchid! Phaleanopsis meets Phyllocrania.

Ghost female moulted to adult after 1 Year  .Yes! plus first limb regrowth observed... 

Heterochaeta orientalis

Happy Christmas Everyone and all the best for the new year!

3 weeks after hatch day, The first Malaysian Blue nymph molt has been observed ..L2        Hierodula

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Nymphs are coming out quite rapidly now after several early birds, First mistake Ive made, the mesh Ive used on my pots is too wide and wont keep the very small flies in DOH!,  still it keeps the mantis in so could be worse. Watching the nymphs hang down is a beautiful thing to observe. still struggling getting the heat up which is annoying... AGAIN. with 5 small heaters on, i might just have to buy an oil heater and have it on all the time its getting down to freezing here again in the UK which I find annoying. I will have to re decorate my spare room. Ive had a damp problem on one wall and ive had to clean mould off it recently. Its made it worse with the temperature and the misting with the creatures and so I will have to address the problem. Ive been living in a fish tank. Still, it will be nice when ive done it,   thanks gang Ill keep you updated!

Glory Glory Hallelujah!  
Hierodula Malay Blue nymphs hatching.   Woop Woop!

Favorite Quote ... "What does one do with thousands of Mantids"    .. Orin Mcmonigle

Busy with my Specimen Jar Production,   takes a while doesnt it!     Good Fun Though

Hierodula Malay Blue

Just acquired another English Orchid from Josephine....... Slightly off topic but you Orchid fanciers out there may be interested.

I've rearranged the Mantid room which looks much better and I've given myself more space to work with. Ill hopefully be ordering another 2 male Orchids to try one more attempt at mating Ezi before she dies of old age. Shes produced another ooth which will be infertile as the first I incubated for just over 12 weeks which I left in the tank which wasn't ideal, I was so scared of damaging it. after removing 2 of them I feel much more confident with dealing with them and so that is slight progress in that area I suppose. I've hot glued it to the mesh lid of a plastic cup,    just for practice ,  My day of glory Will come but how long that will take is anybody's guess. Moving forward Ive had Ezi free ranged for the past month and have been providing humidity in the room itself with fish pumps and water heaters which is bad on fuel but it has been amusing to see her sat in a different place most mornings. I came in to see her on the side of Ghosts tank and the poor little thing was stood on a pebble probably scared half to death and so I thought it was time to return her to the tank. I set up a water feature in one of my tanks and I could tell that the air was perfect in circulation, temperature and humidity but the only problem with it is the constant buzzing noise which you always get with them and I decided to remove it as I thought the vibrating BBBUUUURRRRR of those devices wouldn't be very nice for the creatures as I used to find it very annoying and still do. If I can find some silent pumps (in your dreams) I will be doing more on that front. Ive seen the Exo Terra mist/smoke devices and the 'rainfall' thing reasonably priced and so I would like to explore that in the future and the next time i'm in the new shop I have discovered Ill scratch his brain about the issue. i know that many Mantids don't require all the fancy gadgetry and high tech instruments but what the heck.....its fun !  

**** News Flash ****    Orchid mantis jumps off keepers hand, flies across room and lands on table leg    **** End of message ****

Not Mantids but something of interest ,  Red/Blue Damselfly in the field.. England

I know some people hate edited pictures so Ive made sure to include one unedited Snap with these new images. Heterochaeta orientalis.

First view of the outside world blew CatMans mind, his only concern was the birds flying overhead but I had my eye on him. Cat Eye Mantis Heterochaeta orientalis.