Mantis religiosa ooth

[MantidLord]

Hello friends, long time no see. One of my friends at school recently caught a female Mantis religiosa at school and gave it to me. Now I was excited, because I haven't seen any of these in years (just Iris oratoria). One of the raptorial arms was cut off at the coxa, but everything else was fine. That night, I took it home, and the next morning it layed an ootheca! I was really excited but, I noticed that the size of the ooth wasn't as big as the ones I've seen before. In fact, it was only 1 inch at its longest point, and was about the same size as my Iris oratoria ooths. The next day, it layed another ooth, this time even smaller, measuring short of an inch. Two days after that, it died. So I'm wandering, because I've never bread this species nor have I kept a pregnant female: are the females supposed to lay in succession like that, or is their supposed to be a time to wait before they lay another ooth. And also, does anyone have any idea if the ooths maybe fertile or not? I know the ooths are small, but then there is the possibility that she layed many ooths in the wild, therefore reducing the size. But I've heard of mantids laying one ooth right before they die. But this was two ooths, and she lived for two days after the last ooth was made. Any advice would be great. thanks.

 

[shorty]

Hello friends, long time no see. One of my friends at school recently caught a female Mantis religiosa at school and gave it to me. Now I was excited, because I haven't seen any of these in years (just Iris oratoria). One of the raptorial arms was cut off at the coxa, but everything else was fine. That night, I took it home, and the next morning it layed an ootheca! I was really excited but, I noticed that the size of the ooth wasn't as big as the ones I've seen before. In fact, it was only 1 inch at its longest point, and was about the same size as my Iris oratoria ooths. The next day, it layed another ooth, this time even smaller, measuring short of an inch. Two days after that, it died. So I'm wandering, because I've never bread this species nor have I kept a pregnant female: are the females supposed to lay in succession like that, or is their supposed to be a time to wait before they lay another ooth. And also, does anyone have any idea if the ooths maybe fertile or not? I know the ooths are small, but then there is the possibility that she layed many ooths in the wild, therefore reducing the size. But I've heard of mantids laying one ooth right before they die. But this was two ooths, and she lived for two days after the last ooth was made. Any advice would be great. thanks.

They are the most common native species where I live so I've had much experience raising them. I've never bred them but I've caught adult females that laid ooths which eventually hatched. I've had adults lay ooths in succession as well. If it was an adult when it was found the ootheca is most likely fertile.

 

[Rick]

Never had a mantis species cause me so much grief. These have never worked out for me. Good luck!

 

[The_Asa]

Never had a mantis species cause me so much grief. These have never worked out for me. Good luck!

+ 1

 

[idolomantis]

Never had a mantis species cause me so much grief. These have never worked out for me. Good luck!

+2...

 

[MantidLord]

+2...

All I want to know is if you guys think it'll hatch. I just don't want to miss this "opportunity". Thanks.

 

[The_Asa]

Woopsy sorry. I think it has at least over 50% chance of hatching. Most of all wild ooths I have collected outside hatch with the proper care.

 

[PhilinYuma]

Mantidlord:

I recently got a wild-caught M religiosa ooth from Ohio (they don't occur this far west). It wasn't much larger than yours, just 11/4" and I've noticed that the ooths from wild-caught mantises tend to be smaller than those from those that have spent time in captivity. I suspect that it is beacause our tame mantises are much better fed. I've glued it to a wooden skewer with tacky glue and placed it in a 16 oz cup with a perforated top and a sponge on the bottom for humidity. I mist it about every two days; it's pretty dry out here. Since our ooths are of similar age, it will be interesting to see if they hatch at about the same time. Keep us posted! I'll do the same.

 

[sidewinder]

MantidLord,

Mantis religiosa religiosa is the subspecies of M. religiosa found in the USA. This subspecies generally has an obligate diapause. This means you will need to expose the ootheca to a long period, maybe two months, of cold temperatures (and maybe even a shorter photoperiod) to break diapause.

Scott

 

[Peter Clausen]

I recently got a wild-caught M religiosa ooth from Ohio (they don't occur this far west).

Hi Phil,

Just to clarify, M. religiosa occurs throughout the NW (in Oregon, Washington and Idaho). I've collected them an hour West of Portland (almost on the coast). My daughter pulled an ootheca off the wall of her school and brought it home to me just two weeks ago.

 

[MantidLord]

Sorry I've been off for a while, my computer is down. Thanks alot for all your information. I have the two ooths in my fridge right now. Hope it hatches (just for the sake of having something other than I. oratoria that's native). The whole feeding thing makes since, so that's good news. Thanks all and sorry for just replying. Typing at school (getting wierd looks) <_< . lol