no, i've kept mantids before about a decade ago when i was in elementary and jr. high. i've caught about 7 mantids (Stagmomantis californica, Iris oratoria ) before and i bought a chinese ootheca at an insect fair and raised a few to adulthood. however, this is my first time keeping exotic mantids. i reckon it's just about the same and from i've seen so far, it is.
on a sad note, i lost another orchid nymph. it was the last L1 that hasn't molted yet. i suspected there was something wrong with him since he didn't eat and his stomach was pretty flat.