A Few Quick Ooth Questions

[Acro]

I just got some wild collected Chinese Mantis (Tenodera sinensis) oothecas yesterday, from someone who had them refrigerated and I have a few questions:

1) Can I re-refrigerate some of the oothecas for later hatching, or now (that they've been out of the cold for a few days), would it harm them to put them back in the fridge?

2) How long can Chinese Mantis oothecas stay refrigerated (weeks, months, years)?

3) What is the best way to keep them from drying out, and from being too humid (and moldy) when in the refrigerator?

 

[Mystymantis]

1) No, don't re-refrigerate the ootheca's if it has been a while since they were in the fridge. Now if they were out just a few days (maybe 1 to 5? not exactly sure) might be ok to put them back in the fridge, but after they are out of the cold they start developing if its warm. And since it is warm and now spring time, if they are out of the fridge they will start developing and if you put them back in it might kill them.

2) Not exactly sure, but I usually have mine in the refrigerator for several months during the winter then take them out when it starts to get warmer in the spring. I don't know if they would survive a whole year though. Someone here might know how long they can stay in the refrigerator.

3) I would say as long as they are in the fridge near some moisture, like fruit or vegetable drawer, they will have plenty of humidity. If you really want you could put in a few drops of water every few weeks to be sure they don't dry out.

 

[Acro]

Thanks for the reply Mystymantis. 

I'm kinda amazed that more members haven't commented.  I guess answers to my questions aren't really known.

Come on Mantis experts, post up!