Bumma
Member
Hello everybody! My name is Bumma.
I live in Bucks County, Pennsylvania
I have always had an eye for the microscopic world... studying all things small scale for hours on end. From the time I was 2 ... to 30 years later. Now, with 3 children of my own I am excited to share with them my passion for all of natures alien creatures!
This winter, I brought in a Chinese Mantid ootheca ... planning to make a vivarium for some to live in ... not well thought out as I forgot about it and woke one day to 103,469 of them all over my wall... Ok, like 70. But still. With more planning I would have realized, in order to keep them all alive I would have to have an indoor safe haven for them. That is, until it is warm enough out. You live, you learn.
The danger of frost is almost behind us and I have managed to keep all but about five alive and healthy! Today, a few of the mantids have molted their first molt and the others are not far behind. They are thriving on melanogaster fruit flies in their display case home... so far none(that I know of) have eaten each other ... that is, for now!
I am hoping to move on to some other species in the near future. I really like the idea of collecting a few species to breed that will thrive outdoors in my garden. I am open to suggestions!
Anyways, I am glad to have found this forum. Its nice to know there are weirdos out there like ME!
The display case had quite a few cracks and holes for fruit flies and mantids to escape, but nothing a little screen couldn't fix. The mantids like it up near the light so I think I may affix some burlap there for them so they have a more secure molting spot. Soon I will be adding a black or mirrored background. Still unsure.
I didn't want to over-crowd the display case so there are only about 15 in there.
The others are in some temporary homes. Either until they outgrow the space or I am ready to let them go...
Two of them live on this tree clipping on my window sill by my kitchen sink, free range. But they don't go anywhere. I just sprinkle several fruit flies on it once or twice a day and mist.
L1 and L2 pictured together.
One freshly molted mantis that I placed back on the branch with a toothpick. They definitely need a better foothold than they have! Although I will say, they were very much able to reposition themselves into proper hardening position then I thought they would be after a fall like that.
Also, a picture of me. And no, I am not a crazy person.
Enjoy the pictures!
I live in Bucks County, Pennsylvania
I have always had an eye for the microscopic world... studying all things small scale for hours on end. From the time I was 2 ... to 30 years later. Now, with 3 children of my own I am excited to share with them my passion for all of natures alien creatures!
This winter, I brought in a Chinese Mantid ootheca ... planning to make a vivarium for some to live in ... not well thought out as I forgot about it and woke one day to 103,469 of them all over my wall... Ok, like 70. But still. With more planning I would have realized, in order to keep them all alive I would have to have an indoor safe haven for them. That is, until it is warm enough out. You live, you learn.
The danger of frost is almost behind us and I have managed to keep all but about five alive and healthy! Today, a few of the mantids have molted their first molt and the others are not far behind. They are thriving on melanogaster fruit flies in their display case home... so far none(that I know of) have eaten each other ... that is, for now!
I am hoping to move on to some other species in the near future. I really like the idea of collecting a few species to breed that will thrive outdoors in my garden. I am open to suggestions!
Anyways, I am glad to have found this forum. Its nice to know there are weirdos out there like ME!
The display case had quite a few cracks and holes for fruit flies and mantids to escape, but nothing a little screen couldn't fix. The mantids like it up near the light so I think I may affix some burlap there for them so they have a more secure molting spot. Soon I will be adding a black or mirrored background. Still unsure.
I didn't want to over-crowd the display case so there are only about 15 in there.
The others are in some temporary homes. Either until they outgrow the space or I am ready to let them go...
Two of them live on this tree clipping on my window sill by my kitchen sink, free range. But they don't go anywhere. I just sprinkle several fruit flies on it once or twice a day and mist.
L1 and L2 pictured together.
One freshly molted mantis that I placed back on the branch with a toothpick. They definitely need a better foothold than they have! Although I will say, they were very much able to reposition themselves into proper hardening position then I thought they would be after a fall like that.
Also, a picture of me. And no, I am not a crazy person.
Enjoy the pictures!
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