Hello!
1. I had some trouble finding care sheets for them as well - when I get back to my apartment, I can try to find an old isopod container I got that had a QR code link to one. The beginner species are pretty easy, and I haven't had trouble with mine. The most important elements of their enclosures (if you want like a main breeding tub alongside your mantis enclosure) are a wet to dry gradient, ventilation, dead leaves for them to eat, a calcium source (see the isopod chow below), and lightweight hides (Cork bark works great).
2. I find them pretty easy! The best for beginners is probably the powders (
Porcellionides pruinosus) or dwarf whites (
Trichorhina tomentosa). I found the powders more available, so I started out with them. Dwarf whites might bother your mantis less (and vice versa) but I'm not sure. I was a bit worried about how their population would grow at first (and impulse bought a few more) but after about 9 months, I have a thriving colony! I'm even using them in a behavior experiment for my class.
3. I get mine online! I'll link a few sites at the bottom that I had the best experiences with. I'm not sure if it's a thing where you are, but my local Petsmart also sells
Porcellionides pruinosus in things of 10. Also, if you have reptile expos in your area, some people might sell isopods in them!
4. Mine have done well as a cleanup crew! A certain mantis (Minty, not my angel Cilantro) would snack on them occasionally, but . I think the biggest issue would be if your mantis died and you wanted to keep it, because if you don't notice the dead body the isopods might start eating it. Dairy cow isopods (
Porcellio laevis) are pretty food motivated, so I would avoid those for the safety of your mantis. They might nibble on a live mantis.
Where I bought them
https://www.petpedesandpods.com/?pr...ndle-porcellionides-pruinosus-and-springtails
https://www.smug-bug.com/available-animals/Porcellionides-pruinosus-powder-mix-p418988359 (this is the brand(?) sold in Petsmart as well!)
https://www.rainbowmealworms.net/isopods/ This one was the best in terms of shipping survival imo, my package got lost for an extra 5 days but every single isopod inside was alive!
Some info
https://www.neherpetoculture.com/isopodcare
Products I use with mine
https://www.amazon.com/Live-Oak-Leaf-Litter-Gallon/dp/B0BQRRZCH5/ (expensive, but it'll last a while)
https://www.amazon.com/Isopod-Chow-Variety-Mix-Blend/dp/B08VNSV85T/
https://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Creatures-Natural-Cork/dp/B0771Q4GBK/
Hope this helped!
