Horatio
Well-known member
Hello!
I was very excited to find this site!!! My sister and I have embarked on a Mantid journey. She sent my family three egg sacks that she bought from the USA. The first one hatched in the mail and, although we tried, we had a 100% mortality rate. However, when we had one nymph left, I incubated the second sack (brought it out of the fridge). It took two days to start hatching and now I have about 100 nymphs on day 10. They are actually still hatching as I type. I have been able to round up aphid infested plants and a fruit fly infested plant (Wally Mart) which the nymphs have been enjoying. They also enjoy eating their brothers! I will have to expand the housing today - I do have a friend who is going to be taking some nymphs home. Unfortunately, we had another silly snowstorm which hampers outdoor bug meals. When the first batch arrived hatched, I did bring in some spider egg sacks. It took 18 days of warmth for the eggs to hatch for food. I have alot of spiders in my yard, so I will take advantage and continue to bring in the sacks for a good food source. Misting is definately a must both am and pm as the nymphs seem always thirsty.
I did four years in Biological Sciences before doing my degree in Nursing (Canada). With school age children, I am thrilled to show them all creatures great and small in God's world. I have fallen in love with these little nymphs - I mean, they turn their little heads and look my way!!! Sweet!!! Signing off, Horatio.
I was very excited to find this site!!! My sister and I have embarked on a Mantid journey. She sent my family three egg sacks that she bought from the USA. The first one hatched in the mail and, although we tried, we had a 100% mortality rate. However, when we had one nymph left, I incubated the second sack (brought it out of the fridge). It took two days to start hatching and now I have about 100 nymphs on day 10. They are actually still hatching as I type. I have been able to round up aphid infested plants and a fruit fly infested plant (Wally Mart) which the nymphs have been enjoying. They also enjoy eating their brothers! I will have to expand the housing today - I do have a friend who is going to be taking some nymphs home. Unfortunately, we had another silly snowstorm which hampers outdoor bug meals. When the first batch arrived hatched, I did bring in some spider egg sacks. It took 18 days of warmth for the eggs to hatch for food. I have alot of spiders in my yard, so I will take advantage and continue to bring in the sacks for a good food source. Misting is definately a must both am and pm as the nymphs seem always thirsty.
I did four years in Biological Sciences before doing my degree in Nursing (Canada). With school age children, I am thrilled to show them all creatures great and small in God's world. I have fallen in love with these little nymphs - I mean, they turn their little heads and look my way!!! Sweet!!! Signing off, Horatio.