I. oratoria breeding

[MantidLord]

Hello all, I've decided to chronicle the rearing of 27 (one caught two days ago) Iris oratoria hatchlings caught last week (May 12 and 13th). As of now, about half have molted to L2. No casualties yet, and they have been gutloaded on captured aphids. Anyway, I'm going to attempt to post images, however I might not be able to because I'm on the ps3. So stay tuned if I fail!
















And my tarantula decided to get in on it.

 

[hibiscusmile]

Wish I could see em

 

[MantidLord]

Wish I could see em

I don't understand, I just clicked on the link and was able to see the pics. And I'm not even logged onto my flickr account, and I'm on an iPod. What does it say?

 

[naeff002]

I can see the pictures.

 

[MantidLord]

Update: almost all are at the second instar. They're still feedin on aphids, as i've been able to catch them in bulk. Everyone is fat and happy and less jumpy. On a side note, I see a lot of new places that I'm sure have some mantids. During the weekend, I'm gonna go hunting.

 

[Ntsees]

You're lucky. Mines haven't even begun to hatch out yet. I'm getting a bad feeling though. All those years would go to waste is they didn't hatch out.

 

[ismart]

You're lucky. Mines haven't even begun to hatch out yet. I'm getting a bad feeling though. All those years would go to waste is they didn't hatch out.

Don't get discouraged! My Iris ooths were laid last October. They have finally begun to hatch now. They were never subjected to a diapause either. I have 7 ooths and all are hatching about 15 to 20 nymphs a day. Hold onto them and hopefully they will hatch soon! Good luck!

 

[MantidLord]

Don't get discouraged! My Iris ooths were laid last October. They have finally begun to hatch now. They were never subjected to a diapause either. I have 7 ooths and all are hatching about 15 to 20 nymphs a day. Hold onto them and hopefully they will hatch soon! Good luck!

I'm glad you said that, because mine were laid in October as well, and none have hatched yet. 10 ooths from multiple bred females. Ntsees, see if you can go catch some. I wonder why these wild ones are hatching before captive bred?

Ismart, I'd love to see some pics of your hatchlings.

 

[MantidLord]

As of last night, they're starting to molt to l3. I still have l2s, but all of my l1s have molted. All 27 are still alive. I'm gonna have to start feeding them fruit flies, because aphids are getting too small. Will post pics soon.

 

[massaman]

If anyone would like to sell or trade some nymphs or ooths of this species I would like to obtain a few if anyone has any extras to spare!

 

[MantidLord]

Massaman, I actually went outside today and caught five more. I saw others, but I didn't feel like catching them. I can catch some for you, just pm me for details so we can work something out.

 

[MantidLord]

Update, some L3's:







L3 and L2

 

[ismart]

I must have let free a few hundred into my yard already! They just won't stop hatching! :lol: I do wonder if they can survive in NY weather. I guess only time will tell?

 

[MantidLord]

There's a ridiculous amount of these around my house (where I found he ground mantids). But most of them are younger then the ones I've caught a couple weeks ago.