Hey everyone! My name is Jamie. I'm 22 years old and a senior at Purdue studying Horticulture Science with a concentration in Horticulture Production and Marketing. Eventually I'd like to own my own company consulting homeowners on how to turn their property into a homestead and become self-sufficient, at least that's the dream for now. I live in a basement apartment that is constantly buzzing with insects, so I've had plans to get a pet mantis and help offset the nuisance. A couple days ago my little Aluna found me. She is my first mantis. I believe she is a Stagmomantis carolina, she is adult and I'm almost positive she is gravid. I currently have her set up in a propagation tray with a humidity dome on top, but just picked up supplies to build her a larger screened in enclosure as the humidity in my basement more than suffices her needs and the dome pushes the limit. Anyways, I'd love to talk to fellow carolina owners and pick your brains for some advice. She hasn't eaten since I got her (two going on three days), though she'll bat at it. I assume this is because she's due to deliver any day now, or maybe she's still adjusting? She's very active, to the point of freaking me out a little by how quickly she'll climb up my arm--kind of feel like she wants to kill me sometimes. I can see that she and I share a common need to feel free, so I just want to do my best to give her an ideal home with me. When I'm here I take the lid off of her home and let her roam as she pleases, but most of the time she's content in the environment I've made for her, which makes me very happy. I think that's all for now, I'd love to chat and get some tips from fellow owners, after all that's what this is about right? God speed and much love to you all, thanks for reading!
Jamie
Jamie