pizzuti
Well-known member
I have a male and a female M. religiosa, wild-caught.
It's almost October now, so they are both very old. The first frost is usually comes at around September 20 or so here, so they should be farther through their life cycles by now. I don't even know if there are still any living mantids around outside.
The female reached maturity in the beginning of August, maybe a couple weeks after. She was late, but it's been about 7 weeks, so I figure she should be sexually receptive. The male was mature when I found him... I don't remember exactly when, but it was over a month ago; probably August 20 or so.
They won't mate! I put the female in the male's cage. The male just sort of hangs out as if nothing was going on - won't even turn is head to look at the female for more than a second or two. The female looks at the male every now and then, then just goes back about her business.
I know that when mantids don't mate, it's wise to assume they aren't ready, take them apart for a week or so and try again.
But I know that males don't live very long, either, and I don't want him to live out his lifespan before it happens. He's already showing some signs of age. How long can a male M. religiosa go as an adult?
It's almost October now, so they are both very old. The first frost is usually comes at around September 20 or so here, so they should be farther through their life cycles by now. I don't even know if there are still any living mantids around outside.
The female reached maturity in the beginning of August, maybe a couple weeks after. She was late, but it's been about 7 weeks, so I figure she should be sexually receptive. The male was mature when I found him... I don't remember exactly when, but it was over a month ago; probably August 20 or so.
They won't mate! I put the female in the male's cage. The male just sort of hangs out as if nothing was going on - won't even turn is head to look at the female for more than a second or two. The female looks at the male every now and then, then just goes back about her business.
I know that when mantids don't mate, it's wise to assume they aren't ready, take them apart for a week or so and try again.
But I know that males don't live very long, either, and I don't want him to live out his lifespan before it happens. He's already showing some signs of age. How long can a male M. religiosa go as an adult?
Last edited by a moderator:
