Collection starter

[MantisMan223]

Hey.

I am a newbie here. I normally breed snakes but thought I'd start a bug collection.

Thinking of getting:

R.stalli

Budwings

P.wahlibergii

Orchids

What do you guys think?

 

[mantisman111]

I've only owned wahlbergii and budwings, so take my advice lightly. I've had a lot of trouble caring for wahlbergii, not sure if its my bad luck or what, but i've had three die on my out of five, after having them not molt for around 3 months. It's cold here in Illinois, so maybe that caused something (even with the heat lamps). I'm having great success with budwings, and i love them i recommend ghosts as well, it's what i started with and they're super easy to care for, I got 3 out of 4 to adulthood only losing one to a freak cannibalism incident at like L4.

 

[MantisMan223]

I've only owned wahlbergii and budwings, so take my advice lightly. I've had a lot of trouble caring for wahlbergii, not sure if its my bad luck or what, but i've had three die on my out of five, after having them not molt for around 3 months. It's cold here in Illinois, so maybe that caused something (even with the heat lamps). I'm having great success with budwings, and i love them i recommend ghosts as well, it's what i started with and they're super easy to care for, I got 3 out of 4 to adulthood only losing one to a freak cannibalism incident at like L4.

Thanks

 

[agent A]

my recommendation is creobroter

 

[LAME]

ghosts are any easy specie... Also most natives

id love to own an R.stalli

 

[dmina]

to the group...

 

[Bloodtkr]

Welcome from a fellow CT'r

 

[mantiseater]

welcome

 

[Bloodtkr]

I did the snake thing..doesn't compare. Wait til you go to feed a mantis and he runs up your arm to your head...feeding time with mantis is a whole new experience and I raised just about every kind of reptile. Let the addiction begin !

 

[Rick]

I would hold off on those last two.

 

[Sticky]

I suggest Hierodula. They are wonderful mantids. Some are huge,some small but bigger than wahlbergii. Most are green but also come in other colors. They have great personality and character. They are easy to keep and tolerate a wider range of temps and humidity than other special mantids like orchids and violins.

 

[SkittishMale]

Good starters include Sphodromantis, Hierodula, Rhombodera, Parasphendale and species that are found in the wild in parts of the eastern US such as Stagmomantis carolina, Tenodera sinensis and Mantis religiosa.

 

[CosbyArt]

As it's been said at this point try the local native mantises, here is a list that exist about everywhere (your state may also have others) - Carolina mantis (Stagmomantis carolina), Chinese mantis (Tenodera sinensis), and European Mantis (Mantis religiosa). That way if the hobby isn't for you they can be released outside when it warms up. However, if you are looking for something exotic a Ghost Mantis (Phyllocrania paradoxa) is a great choice.

They are easy to care for as adults; that said, hatching and raising baby nymphs of those species from ooths (ootheca) may not be the easiest though, and in some cases can be difficult - especially for new hobbyists. I know first hand now

 

[MantisMan223]

Thanks Everyone

 

[idologrl]

Welcome!

 

[MantisMan223]

Thanks

 

[sally]

Welcome

 

[MantisMan223]

Welcome

Thank you