Breeding Chinese Mantids- tips?

[MantidLover21]

I have two chinese mantids, and although I think they are both males, I have another ootheca, that should hatch soon, and I am hoping to get a female out of it. They are all nymphs right now, but I'm just wanting to learn about how to do it. I'm mostly worried about the female eating/injuring the male. Is this common? How do I prevent this? I have a large mesh butterfly enclosure I could use as a breeding cage. Would this help the male perhaps be able to escape? Any other general things about breeding I need to know? Any advice would be appreciated. How long until they are classified as adults?

Thanks!

 

[happy1892]

Look at this.

http://mantidforum.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=7112

 

[CoolMantid]

The rumor that females ALWAYS eats the male is not true. It usually only happens in captivity but even then it is rare. If you have a butterfly net cage that is fine. The male just needs to run away from the female. Hiding spots are good such as fake plants, twigs etc.

Look at happy's link too

 

[happy1892]

The rumor that females ALWAYS eats the male is not true. It usually only happens in captivity but even then it is rare. If you have a butterfly net cage that is fine. The male just needs to run away from the female. Hiding spots are good such as fake plants, twigs etc.

Look at happy's link too

It is not rare that a female Chinese Mantis eats a male while mating but it is uncommon.

 

[Chivalry]

Are you sure on your sexing? I have a heck of a time sexing T sinensis nymphs.

 

[maybon]

You have a while to go before they are ready to mate so you should be asking how best to care for them

I'll help you out with the "when are they adults" - if they have fully developed wings they are adults, same with every insect species that has full length wings.

You shouldn't need to worry about the female eating the males this usually doesn't happen. After they become adults give them a minimum of 2 weeks before trying to mate them, but it is better to wait longer (3-6 weeks). And feed the female very well a week before mating them, check the first link in this thread by happy it explains how to mate very well. If you are still worried about it just watch them until they start to mate, if she grabs him hold her head off him using a tooth pick/skewer etc... and gently squeeze her abdomen and she should let go of him.

Find out what "calling" is, if your female is doing this she is emitting pheromones and is ready to mate.

 

[happy1892]

You have a while to go before they are ready to mate so you should be asking how best to care for them

I'll help you out with the "when are they adults" - if they have fully developed wings they are adults, same with every insect species that has full length wings.

You shouldn't need to worry about the female eating the males this usually doesn't happen. After they become adults give them a minimum of 2 weeks before trying to mate them, but it is better to wait longer (3-6 weeks). And feed the female very well a week before mating them, check the first link in this thread by happy it explains how to mate very well. If you are still worried about it just watch them until they start to mate, if she grabs him hold her head off him using a tooth pick/skewer etc... and gently squeeze her abdomen and she should let go of him.

Find out what "calling" is, if your female is doing this she is emitting pheromones and is ready to mate.

I would still be careful when trying to mate them!

 

[gripen]

You have a while to go before they are ready to mate so you should be asking how best to care for them

I'll help you out with the "when are they adults" - if they have fully developed wings they are adults, same with every insect species that has full length wings.

You shouldn't need to worry about the female eating the males this usually doesn't happen. After they become adults give them a minimum of 2 weeks before trying to mate them, but it is better to wait longer (3-6 weeks). And feed the female very well a week before mating them, check the first link in this thread by happy it explains how to mate very well. If you are still worried about it just watch them until they start to mate, if she grabs him hold her head off him using a tooth pick/skewer etc... and gently squeeze her abdomen and she should let go of him.

Find out what "calling" is, if your female is doing this she is emitting pheromones and is ready to mate.

I'm pretty sure chivalry knows all this considering that these are her first gen nymphs... Be careful about giving advise if you have never done the thing that you are giving advise on before.