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Is that right? More so than other species? This is my first experience with the Chinese. I managed to hold onto a few indoors. A spirited bunch, they are! Thriving well and Lightening fast. Hard to get the lid on before they're on the container rim again. I don't remember the m. religiosa being...

[quote name='Deby' timestamp='1301936619' Lots of Chinese die in the first instar, (response below. Can't seem to delete a post yet...)

Yes, I would not have done it, but here's the story: I was in Vancouver, BC, and bought a Chinese ooth at a bug museum. Brought it home in a paper bag. The following day I looked in the bag with the intention of putting them in a "better" place until hatching time. I looked in and saw this...

What is the lowest outdoor temp a Chinese mantis can tolerate, nymphs in particular? I just had some hatch MUCH earlier than I had anticipated and our temperatures are dropping outside to close to freezing again! Could they at least survive one night of close to freezing temps? thanks, GB

"Also, as mentioned in other posts, mantids that hatch at the same time from the same ooth will all not grow at the same rate. Some may be 2-3 molts behind when others have already become adults." Wow, really?? That's a pretty significant difference.

For those of you who have oft witnessed mantids in the wild, captured them, raised them, observed closely, taken notes, OR for the straight-up entomologists out there, here's my question: I am really interested in understanding programmed development in mantids. It's not that I'm doing a...

This is a good point and I am aware of mantids' sensitivity to toxins. Mine are never exposed to such things. They live in a very healthy environment (as do I--organic/nontoxic). They live in their own shed (in their cages) that I have created for them surrounded by plants, flying insects, an...

Rick, I bet you don't think they have emotions either, do you, DO YOU???

This is an interesting point and one I pondered myself. I was quite stunned to find her, especially after I was sure the weather no longer supported life for mantids this season. However, I still have two youngsters (REALLY late bloomers!) I found earlier in the season--before the colder...

You bring up an interesting point. I have often wondered just how good it is to handle mantids. There are certain bugs (ie., butterflies vs. the oil on our skin, which is very harmful to them) where it is well documented that frequent handling shortens their lifespan. This might be worth an...

To address various above responses: well, maybe some of you have had better luck with getting your mantids to use the sticks, twigs, plants, leaves you put in the cage to assist their journey to the top, or to hang and catch prey from, but for me, they ALWAYS end up trying to climb the sides of...

It happened again tonight...I just had a very healthy-appearing adult female (UN-mated), who just molted into adulthood maybe 3 weeks ago, drop dead on me within a couple hours. Clinical exam: all appendages intact, no necrotic tissues (aka: "black death") obvious anywhere, full abdomen (not...

I posted this in another forum as a response to someone, but perhaps it better belongs here: Here's an idea for your "Critter Cage": I have tried various enclosures, the best of which is homemade with wood, staple gun, and soft screening. However, I have a ton of critter cages that I wanted...

Mr. Pitseleh, Here's an idea for your "Critter Cage": I have tried various enclosures, the best of which is homemade with wood, staple gun, and soft screening. However, I have a ton of critter cages that I wanted to use and not have to throw away, but they suck as far as giving the mantis...

Phil, Regarding your Clear Blue proposal: You have a fine idea here; however, I would present a shortcoming with this otherwise surefire testing method: a quantitatively inadequate urine sample.

The refusing food thing is an important sign to look for. One test I do is if I feel a mantis is near molting is put him or her near my computer screen. I start up MSPaint and move a large dot around the screen. If they try to catch that dot, they are hungry, so I feed them. If not, I skip...

Ok, before anyone redirects me towards an older thread, I've already been there, done that, and simply don't have time to re-read EVERY post about molting, so answer if you feel like it, and if you don't, feel free to just pass this right by: Here is what I have gathered in a very general way...

Classical background, but I also have done quite a lot of Argentine tango, show work (Broadway), classic/modern folk, world-folk, pretty much whatever except not real great on jazz improv, though I do dabble in it. Play flute also. Have done quite a bit of flute/guitar stuff. How about you?

You know, I, too, like the sound of the cricket chirps at night (although some people breed non-chirpers. Genetically modified crickets, anyone??). Reminds me of nature's chorus on a mid-summer's eve. But when it gets down to smelling them, handling them, looking at the filthy way they choose...