Deacon
Well-known member
I thought female mantids ate lots before laying an ooth but mine have gone on a hunger strike for three days. Last week, they each ate a whole adult male Dubia and then maybe a few BB flies over the weekend. Now nothing. I have tried BB flies, crickets, and waxworms and they just bat them away. I have hesitated to give them another roach as I was saving that in case I decide to let them mate---that's a whole other topic!
My Budwing is 23 days old. My Hierodula is 21 days old. Both are still round but not as much as a few days ago. I haven't seen either one calling (wagging the abdomen up and down?) But, the Heirodula has been pacing all over in the evenings so I put her in a 24"H X 14" diameter net cage today so she can wander all over the sticks---which she has (I tried the Budwing there for two days but she just sat so she's back in her container. I also have a ghost female who is 14 days old but she is eating everything (as were the above gals when they were two weeks old.)
I've looked all over for some information on pre-ooth behavior but haven't found a thread. Do they not eat when it's approaching time to lay an ooth?
My Budwing is 23 days old. My Hierodula is 21 days old. Both are still round but not as much as a few days ago. I haven't seen either one calling (wagging the abdomen up and down?) But, the Heirodula has been pacing all over in the evenings so I put her in a 24"H X 14" diameter net cage today so she can wander all over the sticks---which she has (I tried the Budwing there for two days but she just sat so she's back in her container. I also have a ghost female who is 14 days old but she is eating everything (as were the above gals when they were two weeks old.)
I've looked all over for some information on pre-ooth behavior but haven't found a thread. Do they not eat when it's approaching time to lay an ooth?