Found wild nest (S. Carolina?) Looks thrashed found parasite

[Jgod]

Today I found a wild insect nest on a fence. It looked pretty beat-up and has a greenish tint. I cut the nest open thinking I wouldn't find anything and saw a few eggs and partially developed insect. I then quickly sewed it back up and took a couple photos.I think it is an S. Carolina (due to its size and form but I have no experience finding them in the wild so I cannot be sure. Once I placed the nest in a container I noticed a small (<1/2cm) impostor. I would like to know what this parasite is and whether it has destroyed any of the potential eggs and possibly laid some of its own. Lemme know what you guys think.

 

[Brunneria]

That's a bristly millipede, family Polyxenidae. As far as I know they are herbivores. 

 

[Jgod]

That's a bristly millipede, family Polyxenidae. As far as I know they are herbivores. 

Thank you. So maybe it was just using the nest as a temporary home. 

 

[CosbyArt]

That is not a Stagmomantis carolina ooth for sure, or any native mantid ooth that I am aware of.

Perhaps it is some sort of butterfly/moth cocoon, but I am not sure what you found exactly; however, judging by all the damage and openings on the left side of it in the photo and at the tip, whatever was in it already emerged.

If you did see something inside it after cutting it open, it is likely mites/slugs/beetles/etc eating it (and apparently a millipede). If there are eggs in it some other insect laid eggs in the empty shell to protect them from the elements (some wasps or something). If you plan to incubate it, be sure to do it in a container nothing could escape from (as it is hard to say what may come out of it if anything).

The green coloration looks like it was caused by grass stains and such, very likely from someone using a lawnmower or trimmer nearby.

 

[Jgod]

That is not a Stagmomantis carolina ooth for sure, or any native mantid ooth that I am aware of.

Perhaps it is some sort of butterfly/moth cocoon, but I am not sure what you found exactly; however, judging by all the damage and openings on the left side of it in the photo and at the tip, whatever was in it already emerged.

If you did see something inside it after cutting it open, it is likely mites/slugs/beetles/etc eating it (and apparently a millipede). If there are eggs in it some other insect laid eggs in the empty shell to protect them from the elements (some wasps or something). If you plan to incubate it, be sure to do it in a container nothing could escape from (as it is hard to say what may come out of it if anything).

The green coloration looks like it was caused by grass stains and such, very likely from someone using a lawnmower or trimmer nearby.

I was worried this was the case.  I was optimistic that it belonged to some mantis species and thought I'd collect it. I've kept it in a container that nothing could escape from. I've read too many posts that include wasps hatching from another insects nest and I'd rather not have that kind of weekend. 

I appreciate the input. Thank you. 

 

[CosbyArt]

I was worried this was the case.  I was optimistic that it belonged to some mantis species and thought I'd collect it. I've kept it in a container that nothing could escape from. I've read too many posts that include wasps hatching from another insects nest and I'd rather not have that kind of weekend. 

I appreciate the input. Thank you. 

I thought you already had some Carolina ooths anyway?

I was excited the first time I found something too, it was a similar event. Just keep at it, your eventually start finding mantis ooths.

Wasps are a problem, even in unhatched mantid ooths. Here are some parasitic wasps that hatched on me. This topic here includes a video I made with my USB microscope of what was in a damaged ooth (living and eating the ooth material itself), thankfully many nymphs hatched anyway.

Your welcome, and best luck searching.

 

[Jgod]

I thought you already had some Carolina ooths anyway?

I was excited the first time I found something too, it was a similar event. Just keep at it, your eventually start finding mantis ooths.

Wasps are a problem, even in unhatched mantid ooths. Here are some parasitic wasps that hatched on me. This topic here includes a video I made with my USB microscope of what was in a damaged ooth (living and eating the ooth material itself), thankfully many nymphs hatched anyway.

Your welcome, and best luck searching.

Oh I do.  I was at a BBQ and just so happened to notice it. 

That video makes me itch! Great footage btw. 

After getting the news about the nest I decided to open it and check out whats inside. Another bristly millipede emerged but besides him it looks like the nest is vacant. Figured I'd take a photo. Sorry I couldn't get it to focus any better. One day I'll get a nice camera. 

 

[CosbyArt]

Oh I do.  I was at a BBQ and just so happened to notice it. 

That video makes me itch! Great footage btw. 

After getting the news about the nest I decided to open it and check out whats inside. Another bristly millipede emerged but besides him it looks like the nest is vacant. Figured I'd take a photo. Sorry I couldn't get it to focus any better. One day I'll get a nice camera. 

View attachment 7215

Ha, that video seems to do that to everyone. Thanks.

Well I have to admit that looks completely different from the first photo above, and it does look a mantid ooth (I guess the other photo was from a 3/4 backside view or something). Anyway it appears it might be a European mantis (Mantis religiosa), I have no experience with that species though to confirm it.

Indeed in the cutaway section, left side, it appears to be dried out.  I can't tell by the photo by the hatch area if the nymphs already hatched or not.

Not sure what to tell you on it, but judging by the coloration it may still be a good ootheca. Can you show a few more photos of the front hatching area (as the above photo) from a few angles?

 

[Jgod]

 

[CosbyArt]

It is a hatched ooth, likely last seasons (laid in 2014, hatched in 2015). Well the good thing is you didn't hurt anything, aren't wasting time on incubating it, and should be able to find some good ooths nearby.

Where ever the BBQ was at, you should be able to find some ooths getting ready to hatch this spring. Just look around if you can in the daylight, and you should find some good ooths. It's a great sign finding a hatch one, as you know they must have laid fresh ooths somewhere around the area.

If it turns out they are European mantis (Mantis religiosa) ooths, and you have some spares I'd be interested in a few.

 

[Jgod]

It is a hatched ooth, likely last seasons (laid in 2014, hatched in 2015). Well the good thing is you didn't hurt anything, aren't wasting time on incubating it, and should be able to find some good ooths nearby.

Where ever the BBQ was at, you should be able to find some ooths getting ready to hatch this spring. Just look around if you can in the daylight, and you should find some good ooths. It's a great sign finding a hatch one, as you know they must have laid fresh ooths somewhere around the area.

If it turns out they are European mantis (Mantis religiosa) ooths, and you have some spares I'd be interested in a few.

That makes me feel a lot better about it. 

That's great news. Next time I'm in that area I'll have to pay more attention. 

If I find anything around I'll be sure to post more images.

 

[Jgod]

I just got back from a trip to find 2 nymph hatched. I'm gonna keep the ooth for a bit and maybe there will be a few more. I'm stunned at after how much I handled and dissected it, it's still hatching. Pretty resilient little bunch. Any idea of species? I'll try and take some better photos. 

 

[Rick]

It is an old mantis ootheca. 

 

[CosbyArt]

I just got back from a trip to find 2 nymph hatched. I'm gonna keep the ooth for a bit and maybe there will be a few more. I'm stunned at after how much I handled and dissected it, it's still hatching. Pretty resilient little bunch. Any idea of species? I'll try and take some better photos. 

...

Glad to see you did get some to hatch after all that, congrats. From the photo the nymph is really dark so I'm not sure, perhaps your camera over compensated the white balance for the bright white background it was on. Is the nymph really that dark? (looks nearly black)

It is an old mantis ootheca. 

See the post right above yours Rick, he had some hatch.

 

[mantiseater]

mantis religiosa

 

[Jgod]

Glad to see you did get some to hatch after all that, congrats. From the photo the nymph is really dark so I'm not sure, perhaps your camera over compensated the white balance for the bright white background it was on. Is the nymph really that dark? (looks nearly black)

See the post right above yours Rick, he had some hatch.

Thank you. They are very dark. I was surprised to see anything in there besides maybe a wasp or more millipedes. I just had 3 more hatch out today. 

mantis religiosa

Which features of the nymph made you choose mantis religiosa? 

 

[CosbyArt]

Thank you. They are very dark. I was surprised to see anything in there besides maybe a wasp or more millipedes. I just had 3 more hatch out today. 

Which features of the nymph made you choose mantis religiosa? 

No problem, got to hear you have gotten a few. Hmm, that does confirm it as the European mantis (Mantis religiosa) then.

Photos of nymphs hatching have the same golden cream color, and darken quite a bit as they dry. I suggested it might be them back in March, as the ooth is similar to a Carolina (Stagmomantis carolina) but definitely wasn't. Take into a account the ooth, and the nymphs coloring and lack of highly visible patterning, and they are European mantis (Mantis religiosa).

Here is a photo of a European mantis (Mantis religiosa) recently hatched nymph from Steven E. F. Brown...

 

[Jgod]

No problem, got to hear you have gotten a few. Hmm, that does confirm it as the European mantis (Mantis religiosa) then.

Photos of nymphs hatching have the same golden cream color, and darken quite a bit as they dry. I suggested it might be them back in March, as the ooth is similar to a Carolina (Stagmomantis carolina) but definitely wasn't. Take into a account the ooth, and the nymphs coloring and lack of highly visible patterning, and they are European mantis (Mantis religiosa).

Here is a photo of a European mantis (Mantis religiosa) recently hatched nymph from Steven E. F. Brown...

Sweet! Thank you for the information and the photo. I just checked the container and 17 have hatched so far. Now I'll have all the local flavors of mantis species. I've got L5 T. Sinensis and any day the S Carolina ooth is going to hatch. And now M. Religiosa nymphs. What have I gotten myself into...?    

 

[hibiscusmile]

Religiosa was my first guess, sorry I was so late on seeing the post.