mating your mantis

[beckyl92]

can you still mate your female if they've already mated a few times and they'll still produce ootheca?

i have no idea how it works x)

 

[Rick]

Yes.

 

[beckyl92]

Yes.

wow so you could get like +10 ootheca from one female?

 

[Katnapper]

wow so you could get like +10 ootheca from one female?

It is possible, but most do not end up laying quite that many. Usually the first one or two ooths have the best hatch rates, with successive ooths having a reduction in hatch rates and chance of general viability. Later-laid ooths have a higher risk of being deformed and infertile, even if earlier-laid ooths hatched very well.

 

[beckyl92]

It is possible, but most do not end up laying quite that many. Usually the first one or two ooths have the best hatch rates, with successive ooths having a reduction in hatch rates and chance of general viability. Later-laid ooths have a higher risk of being deformed and infertile, even if earlier-laid ooths hatched very well.

ah okay so do you think its just best to mate them and when they have laid a few ooths mate them again and thats it?

 

[Rick]

ah okay so do you think its just best to mate them and when they have laid a few ooths mate them again and thats it?

The number of matings has nothing to do with the amount of ooths. I mate them once and them again after a few ooths though it is likely not needed at all.

 

[beckyl92]

The number of matings has nothing to do with the amount of ooths. I mate them once and them again after a few ooths though it is likely not needed at all.

ill probably do it anyways to increase fertility

 

[massaman]

i tried to do that recently and the females refuse to be mated again with my male so its not always going to work i think if the females want no part of it then dont try to force them!

 

[Rick]

ill probably do it anyways to increase fertility

Later ooths often hatch fewer nymphs so it can't hurt.

 

[Katnapper]

It can't really hurt, and may be beneficial to re-mate. You do risk the male being eaten or "worn out" (that's what I call it... ) as it seems I've had males die soon after mating... like they gave it their all, served their purpose, and then they're done. But then again, I've had males outlive females by quite a while too... so it's all a ###### shoot.