Greetings from the midwest!

[hogosha]

Howdy!

Just thought I'd stop lurking and post something.

I've been interested in mantids for quite a few years but have not really gotten the nerve up to actually try to keep one as a pet. I have been reading many posts here over the past few days and think I can at least get a nice habitat going. I would like to eventually try breeding them too. Just hope my wife can handle me keeping feeders. :lol:

I have seen a few of the s. carolina around my house (central MO) and I've started looking for oothecae. No luck yet but I figure more leaves need to fall from the trees before I'll have any real chance of finding them. I wonder if I can actually find any live ones yet around? We have had a few cold nights but not actually a freeze...

One I'm really wanting to try raising is the Ghost Mantis / Phyllocrania Paradoxa. I like the idea of them being somewhat comunnal for mantids. Having adult mantids living together I think would make a cool display.

See you folks online!

 

[Andrew]

Welcome. The ooths will start showing up everywhere once all the leaves are gone.

 

[hibiscusmile]

Welcome Mikey, Look knee height and below when out walking if your looking for the Chinese, and ankle height for the european, I haven't gathered the carolinas yet so your on your own there.! The ghost are a lot of fun to look at, if you give them honey on your finger while holding them, they wag their little butts like a puppy :lol: . I just had a new hatching and they are running around everywhere, and so close to holloween too! Here a pic for you.

 

[OGIGA]

Welcome!

 

[Rick]

Welcome. Looks in weedy meadows, overgrown fence lines, etc for chinese ooths. You may find the carolina ooths on the foundations of buildings. The paradoxa are a neat looking species but they're very sedentary and in my opinion kind of boring.

 

[hogosha]

Thanks, all for the welcome!

That Ghost is now my wallpaper. :lol:

I have a lot of overgrown area around my back yard. There is a storm ditch bordered by trees and tall bushy weeds. Not to mention a very nice patch of honeysuckle that bugs and the humming birds seem to love. I've started to look there for the ooths but have a hard time with most all the leaves still on the plants. Guess I'll just have to be patient for a local breed at the moment.

Do the little critters seem to have a preference to which side of a house/tree they place their ooths? I've checked the southern half of the house and didn't find anything yet. I have not looked at the north side yet. I live in a duplex and didn't want to scare the older lady that is temporarily renting the north side. Or is it just too early to be looking in central Missouri?

I was hoping to find an ooth around my rose bush that I've seen a couple of matids on before. Not yet...

I was going to say I was one of the 'mature' new members but that would be misleading. I'm possibly older 40ish but not actually mature. I can't help growing old but I can slow down growing up.

Take care!