Best time to bring overwintering ooths out of fridge

[Mystymantis]

I was wondering, what is the best time to bring overwintering oothecas out of the fridge? How long does it typically take for a mantis ootheca to hatch from overwintering? Was it 90 days or was it longer?

I usually take oothecas out of the fridge sometime in March.

 

[Mystymantis]

So I guess no one knows...anyway.

I remember reading a post about how long it takes for the ootheca to develop once it is done overwintering/ taken out of cold or it starts to get warm again. Does anyone know where that post is? Or does anyone know how long it takes Chinese and Carolina mantis ootheca to hatch once it gets warm? I thought it was like 90 days but I am not certain....

 

[Sarah K]

ooopppsss.....sorry no one responded sooner. I blame CosbyArt for his absence lately! LOL. @CosbyArt come back! The rest of us can't keep up with the questions as well as you do.  Just Kidding, I am sure he has a good reason for his absence, but anyhow, here is something he posted in my collection thread. I feel it covers the basics. I have taken some Carolina ooths out of the fridge during the wnter months(after a shortened diapause), and I have had this same experience of it taking 75-110 days to hatch. However, I am wondering whether the hatch rate would go back to the 40 day range, if my ooths were diapaused for a longer, more realistic timeframe in the first place?

It is amazing how long it takes for the Carolina ooths to hatch without a diapuase - mine take anywhere from 75-110 days, 90 days being the average. Then most do small "scout hatches" of 1 to 3 nymphs several times before the main hatch, but some never do a big hatch only do small ones until empty (usually 3-7 days between scout hatches).

Glad you have some Carolina nymphs, it's always great to start with new little ones from day one.

 

[Mystymantis]

ok thank you so much! So then it is on average 90 days for them to hatch.