This is just a little something I did this summer. I caught and marked all adult chinese mantids I could find in a small area near my place. From 7-24 to 9-16 I caught 30 different adult chinese mantids. 18 were female and 12 were male. One female was found three different times while most were only found once or sometimes twice. The ones that were found more than once were never far from the first location they were found.
Most of these mantids were in excellent health however one was found with significant old, healed wounds to the head. Another was found with more recent injury to the head. One female was found with highly deformed wings. Two males were found missing parts of their front legs. Two females were found eating very large cicada's. I found those because I heard the cicada's loud buzzing as it tried to escape the mantids grasp. Found one female eating an adult female carolina mantis.
I wasn't able to get out there much after 9-16 and the few times I did I only found mantids I had already found. I went out there today and found no mantids. Even though it is 80 degrees right now we had a couple nights a couple weeks ago where it frosted and I believe the mantids were killed on those nights.
Just thought you guys would be interested in this little bit of data.
Most of these mantids were in excellent health however one was found with significant old, healed wounds to the head. Another was found with more recent injury to the head. One female was found with highly deformed wings. Two males were found missing parts of their front legs. Two females were found eating very large cicada's. I found those because I heard the cicada's loud buzzing as it tried to escape the mantids grasp. Found one female eating an adult female carolina mantis.
I wasn't able to get out there much after 9-16 and the few times I did I only found mantids I had already found. I went out there today and found no mantids. Even though it is 80 degrees right now we had a couple nights a couple weeks ago where it frosted and I believe the mantids were killed on those nights.
Just thought you guys would be interested in this little bit of data.