Expanding My Collection.... now I need Help!

[Tiara]

Hi everyone! I am new at keeping mantids. I am getting a couple in the mail next week and I just am having not much luck getting the info I need. I’m not sure what size containers I need. Here is what I am getting 5 of each:

L2 wide-arm nymphs

L2/L3 Chinese nymphs

L2/L3 S. parva nymphs

L2/L3 A. formosana nymphs

Any other info would be great! I am going to get fruit flies and pin head crickets to feed them. My boyfriend and I also breed several species of roaches, if anyone knows of a species that would be small enough for any/all of them please let me know. If we don’t already have them, we will try to get them. I picked up acrylic containers at Michaels today. They are aprox. 1’x1’x2 ½’ I want them to be separated so there is no chance of cannibalism. I do have a couple other acrylic containers that are bigger. I only have one mantis now, so this is an extreme change for me! I have a Heirodulla patellifera. Thank you for all your help!!

~Chantell~

 

[The_Asa]

Very ambitious! I would avoid obtaining anymore for the time being. The cages sound far too large. If you want them housed seperately, then I would suggest 24 oz. or 32 oz. containers for them. I've never tried to feed roaches to mantids that small but I imagine that you could with some of the very young roaches. The two most common feeders it would appear are lobster roaches and dubia roaches. Fruitflies are a better choice for now though.

 

[hibiscusmile]

Put some greenery (silk flowers) or some sticks in your containers and if the roaches are too big and u have nothing else, cut them up and offer with toothpick,

 

[Morpheus uk]

What ever you do dont feed the wide arms crickets, feed them flying food, the acromantids will also prefer flying food also

 

[Tiara]

Why can't I feed them crickets? (the wide arms) I think I wrote the enclosure measurements wrong they are 1in by 1in by 2 1/2 in. That is too big?

 

[The_Asa]

Why can't I feed them crickets? (the wide arms) I think I wrote the enclosure measurements wrong they are 1in by 1in by 2 1/2 in. That is too big?

I haven't had a problem feeding the widearms crickets :huh:

Now the enclosure seems far too small :lol: it would be helpful if you posted a picture

 

[Katnapper]

What ever you do dont feed the wide arms crickets, feed them flying food,/quote]

Why?

 

[hibiscusmile]

The enclosure is too small, if nothing else is available, get some cold drink cups or styrofoam cups for them and use coffee filter and rubber band for lid, or glass mayo jar or anything else. If feeding them crickets, make sure they have the cricket and are eating it before leaving them alone with it, crickets are carnivorus.

 

[Hypoponera]

If you want a good container, I would recommend glass canning jars. These have the screw cap lids. Place a layer of cheese cloth over the jar mouth and screw the lid on. Add a couple cotton rounds to the bottom of the jar to retain moisture. Add a stick to allow easy access to the top. All but the stick is available at Walmart. The jars come in several sizes, so you can upgrade as your bugs grow.

 

[Gurd]

by wide arm I'm guessing you mean Cilnia Humeralis I've been recommened not to give them crickets either, so its been roaches & flies for mine and they are doing fine

 

[Rick]

Always best to have everything set up before you get something.

 

[Tiara]

Thanks everyone!!! I think I am going to get the canning jars for them, do they sell cheese cloth at walmart? Im going to need to get another room for these things!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL How big are these gonna get? Paul said the slings are going to be 1/2in to an inch big to begin with. Still dont quite under stand why wide arms cant have crickets.... anyone???? I cant wait!!!! 6 more days!!!!!!!

Thanks,

~Chantell~

 

[hibiscusmile]

Mine always have crickets and it does not hurt them, been giving them crickets and superworms, mealworms, and whatever I catch outside, crickets wont hurt them, they are a fierce eater and will tackle most anything u give them...trust me! and ps my sister in law says walmart has cheesecloth and [SIZE=12pt]" if Walmart don't have it, I don't need it!" :lol: [/SIZE]

 

[Hypoponera]

Yes, Walmart has cheese cloth. You will find it in the craft/fabric section.

The Chinese and Wide-arms will out grow the large quart sized jars. You will need to get a bigger container for those when they are adults. But the other species you listed will do fine as adults in quart size jars. I use the smaller pint jars for the nymphs at first. S. parva and A. formosa can live just fine as adults in a pint jar., but seem "happier" in the quart jars!

Also, the S. parva do require high humidity. So expect to mist them atleast daily. Maybe twice if your bug room is kept very dry. I live in a desert and had to mist them 3 times a day to avoid mismolts!

 

[shorty]

Be careful expanding your collection before you're ready to do so! I made this mistake a long time ago and found myself a bit overwhelmed. Make sure you have everything ready for them before they arrive. Get your feeders, get your enclosures ready, and have space for them all. Good luck!

 

[Tiara]

You guys are all so helpful, I like that saying!! About Walmart LOL I live there!!! I am very excited and nervous about all the new bugs. I think I can handle it though! My boyfriend is always very good to me so if I feel overwhelmed he will help. He has about 300 spiders himself so hes good with organizing time. BTW if anyone is interested in spiders... let me know. AHEM... Ive been corrected theyre "tarantulas" LOL I need more room for my bugs! We are setting the cages up this weekend. He gets the pleasure of accepting the package as I will be at school til 4. But then I will be up until the wee hours making sure they are happy and content! Should I try to feed them right away? I know spiders dont like to eat when their homes are changed. LOL Im a nervous mantid mom!! Thankyou so much!!!

~Chantell~

 

[Hypoponera]

Yes, feed and mist them as soon as you get a chance. While they may not be hungry if shipped with dinner, they will probably be a touch dehydrated.

 

[Tiara]

I can't wait!!!! They are coming in tomorrow!! This is worse than waiting for santa!! LOL I will post pics of my new babies asap. I did get the quart canning jars, but I put a fine mesh screen at the top, I think it looks prettier than that cheese cloth. Again, I will post pics. The screen almost looks like the holes are smaller than the cheese cloth. I have the pin head crickets, I am waiting to get them fruit flies, as my local pet store was all out. AHHHH! I can't wait! I hope magellan doesnt get jealous! LOL I think he will be a good big brother. He is calm, and likes to hang out on my shoulder. I hope I get a few more that like to relax with me!! LOL Nite Guys!!