Length of mating times - specifically Orchids

[Avantis]

I was just wondering if anyone knows if each species of mantis are different.

How long are they paired for? I assume they are all different from, species to species.

I noticed my Orchids were joined today for only around 5 or 6 at most hours.

He is still on her back but unsure as to if it will be a viable mating?

Any insight would be most appreciative.

Cheers

 

[hibiscusmile]

You said they were joined, if so then it is good, if he is just on her back, well that is a different story, and any time spent JOINED, will be viable.

 

[superfreak]

My archimantis pair were joined for about half an hour last night. is that enough?

 

[Katnapper]

My archimantis pair were joined for about half an hour last night. is that enough?

As long as they were actually joined.... yep, that's enough!

 

[Avantis]

Yes they were joined. So fingers crossed. My P.wahlbergii were joined though and i had three ooths before she died but none of them hatched

As long as they were actually joined.... yep, that's enough!

 

[Rick]

A long time.

 

[OGIGA]

They stay on for days. Make sure you keep him fed because he might stay on there and just starve.

 

[Rick]

They stay on for days. Make sure you keep him fed because he might stay on there and just starve.

After they seperate their abdomens I pull him off. Or like you said he will just stay there.

 

[shorty]

After they seperate their abdomens I pull him off. Or like you said he will just stay there.

Really? The male will just sit there? Is this how it happens in the wild as well, or is it a product of living in captivity? I mean, it is such a highly cannibalistic animal. You'd think they would fly off immediately to pass their genes on to more offspring. I don't understand what the evolutionary advantage of this would be, other than having extra sustenance for the eggs growing inside the female.

 

[Katnapper]

Really? The male will just sit there? Is this how it happens in the wild as well, or is it a product of living in captivity? I mean, it is such a highly cannibalistic animal. You'd think they would fly off immediately to pass their genes on to more offspring. I don't understand what the evolutionary advantage of this would be, other than having extra sustenance for the eggs growing inside the female.

Quote from Chun (below) from thread Thesprotia graminis mating has some relevance to your question...

(chun @ Dec 2 2008, 01:53 PM) expanding on what Kruszakus was saying, the length of 'connection' time between the male and female does not necessarily mean more sperm is being deposited or increased female fertility. I'm not too familiar with mantids behavioural (reproductive) ecology and anatomy, but sperm transfer generally does not take long, however, when females are limited, males have to compete between each other for these limited resources. The best way to guarantee your paternity and your reproductive success is to guard your female from other males from mating with her, which is easily done by physically blocking the female's vulva by staying connected. The disadvantages of remaining connected to the female for too long includes 1) being eaten by the female 2) being eaten by a predator and 3) the male's 'reproductive success'/rewards from his investment decreases over time (diminishing returns). The other optimal male mating strategy is to spend less time mating (=less time in connection with the female) but mates with more females (i.e. Krus' and his Didymoryha).

 

[Rick]

With orchids they male will continue to stay on the females back for what seems like forever AFTER he is done mating and has disconnected.