My mantis just made an ooth, should I put a male to her?

[Eldur]

My mantis is around 3 weeks at least since her final moult and now she has made an ooth.

I have a male also who moulted at least 2 weeks ago

Is it ok to put the male to her now if I want to give it a try?

I want to have a mantis left when they die and I will have fruitflies any time now from a friend who is breeding it and am planning to breed houseflies in cups, and also am working on getting better food to my country for them (lobster roach).

Is it too late to put the male to her?

She got really fat after eating an earthworm maby 1-2 weeks ago (just got fat in one day after a heavy meal) but now after this she is slimmer again.

IF I want to mate them, should I fatten her up again before they can mate?

I mean if she is going to make an ooth anyway, couln´t it just as well be furtilized?

I feel I am ready to take care of the nymphs if they would come, have read alot here and on the web about their care and am collecting enclosures and stuff already just in case.

I have not decided yet, just wondering, expecially since they will only live few months as adults now I also have an extra male and possibly another male aswell.

 

[Rick]

You can mate her anytime. All it means is that the first ooth will not be fertile but the rest will be after the mating. You can mate her now. She doesn't need to be fattened up.

 

[Katnapper]

Yes, you can and probably should mate her if you are looking forward to having babies around eventually. Best of luck with it!

 

[Ntsees]

You can mate them anytime you want but in my experience, a female after she's had her oothecae will be very hungry. I usually fatten them up a little before I mate them again.

 

[ismart]

You can mate them anytime you want but in my experience, a female after she's had her oothecae will be very hungry. I usually fatten them up a little before I mate them again.

+1

Deffinetly feed her up a bit before introducing the male. If she is ravenous, the male may not be able to even mount her.

 

[Rick]

Just keep in mind they are simply saying that a female who just laid an ooth will be very hungry. It doesn't mean she has to be fat to mate.

 

[Eldur]

The male is bigger than the female, should I do something different because of that?

Is there more chance that the female can grab him if he is longer?

 

[massaman]

Dont worry about it and just breed them and keep your fingers crossed and just watch them and when they link up then give them the privacy to do their job!

 

[Rick]

The male is bigger than the female, should I do something different because of that?Is there more chance that the female can grab him if he is longer?

That is normal. Eating the male is the exception, not the rule though it does happen in captivity moreoften.

http://mantidforum.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=7112

 

[Eldur]

Thank you for your advice, I have read the breeding post very well and the male is getting comfortable at the spot as we speak and the female is eating. We will give it a try I have a spray bottle and a stick ready :lol: