How to tell if an ootheca is viable

[CanadIan anter]

So today I found a second Mantis religiosa ooth and it was almost perfect. Except for one thing. The "blinds" were already half open. I had read somewhere that this meeant the babies probably hatched the previous year. So I opened the ooth. Lo and behold, I saw eggs, except that they were bone dry and looked and felt like tiny yellow rice grains. Would these eggs be viable if I hadn't opened the ooth? would the part that was not destroyed be viable? Are eggs supposed to be so hard and dry? Is there really a way to distinguish viable ooths from non-viables?

 

[Jgod]

I found this mantis religiosa ooth last year and it hatched about a dozen nymph. Appearance, unfortunately, isn't always a 100% indicator.



I'd suggest after any photographing that you sew the ooth closed, record the date, store it in a jar, and wait to see if it hatches. Best wishes!