can you keep b.mendicta together?

[gripen]

can you keep Blepharopsis mendica communally? if so how long? i read on uk mantis forum care sheets that you could has anyone tried?

 

[massaman]

you can prob keep them together for a while but need to keep alot of food inside their enclosure to keep them from cannibalizing but prob a good idea to separate them if they are adults though just to be cautious!

 

[gripen]

yeah that's what i thought but then again most of the empusidae family is communal.

 

[twolfe]

I kept mine together for a while but separated them at L4. I just didn't want to take any chances because I didn't have that many left.

 

[Termite48]

Hi Tammy: The Empusidae are supposedly a lot more gregarious than say Creobroter or Rhombodera, but like you did at about L-4 when they can take down a pretty sizeable prey, it is a good idea to separate them if 1) you have an option to do so 2) if you have but a few 3) when they are not so ubiquitous as some species. In other words save those little critters from themselves.

Perhaps when you are able to breed them, I will propose a trade for a few for some rooted vines.

Rich