Concerned: Adult Budwing has never laid ooth

[LLCoolJew]

My female Budwing mantis, Shatner, has been an adult for three months now, having gotten her wings on 12/18. However, homegirl has never laid an ooth, though she has had an enormous belly for quite awhile. She's about 7 months old, very healthy, and has a hearty appetite.

Any thoughts on what might be taking so darn long???

Thanks!

Lauren

(the third photo is simply just to show how adorable and smiley she is. I love her!!!! She rocks.)

 

[agent A]

I'd try and give her more perches and hydrate her well

 

[LLCoolJew]

She has a well appointed terrarium with tons of perches, and I give her plenty of distilled water to drink regularly. Any other ideas???

 

[agent A]

My female popa molted to adult in December and laid a first ooth last week

Budwings r bigger so it may take longer

 

[LLCoolJew]

OK. That's a helpful frame of reference Thanks!

 

[mkayum]

I hope she lays. She look like she's ready to pop! She has been mated?

Good luck! c:

 

[LLCoolJew]

Nope! She's a virgin!!!

(I don't breed. Only raise)

Thanks!

 

[massaman]

well you can expect a infertile ooth then and these are not parthenogenic

 

[agent A]

that's likely a factor

females try and hold off ooth laying as long as possible if they havent mated, creobroter for example, if mated, lay an ooth as soon as 2 weeks after becoming an adult, while if not mated can take 5 weeks or more to lay a small ooth

 

[Rick]

I haven't seen any evidence that mating has any factor on when they will make an ooth. Could be, but I haven't seen any difference in captive specimens I have raised. That being said, if she doesn't lay an ooth eventually it will kill her.

 

[massaman]

Oh and if you do decide to breed the female just a word of caution that this species gets very aggressive when attempting to breed with the males and has a tendencies to attack the male or will try to attack you as I have had it happen and this is not the only species to do this as shields do this as well and wide arms from what I read and have experienced with budwings and shields!

 

[LLCoolJew]

Thanks, everyone! I am cautiously optimistic!!!!

XO,

LL

 

[angelofdeathzz]

I have a 2.5 month old female budwing that is the same, fat and no ooth yet, I'm sure it has to do with not being mated, my male is 3 weeks now so I'll try and get them together soon but these budwing girls are so aggressive! I hope he isn't dinner? But I have a few tricks that should help keep him off the menu.

If he makes it and gets the job done I'll send him your way.

 

[patrickfraser]

Here's a link to my post regarding a similar situation that might be helpful. I believe they will hold off laying an infertile for as long as possible to prevent wasting the eggs. Check it out and form your own opinions. http://mantidforum.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=22205&hl=&fromsearch=1