I'd like to know whether people prefer to buy nymphs or adults. I tend to go for nymphs because it seems like they will have a longer time on this planet with me, and I get to watch them change as they grow up. With that said, it also appears that older organisms cost more- perhaps because they are less likely to die?
nymphs, subadults, or adults?
- Thread starter jetsky82
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Peter Clausen
Well-known member
Young mantises are cheaper for two main reasons.
1. The seller has many.
2. The seller has put little time into them.
Older mantises are more expensive because
1. seller typically has fewer and demand is typically higher for older, more stable mantises.
2. seller has put more time into their care.
Mantises are among the most time-consuming of pet bugs to raise and the money made rarely offsets the time in, unless you really know what you are doing or really LOVE the hobby!
1. The seller has many.
2. The seller has put little time into them.
Older mantises are more expensive because
1. seller typically has fewer and demand is typically higher for older, more stable mantises.
2. seller has put more time into their care.
Mantises are among the most time-consuming of pet bugs to raise and the money made rarely offsets the time in, unless you really know what you are doing or really LOVE the hobby!
Peter Clausen
Well-known member
I tend to think it's less a factor of spontaneity than care. When a keeper has 300 mantises to feed, these mantises are usually less likely to be fed individually. If they are being kept warm and a bit on the dry side and are slightly underfed, some will begin to die. Some species are prone to cannibalism. Logic seems to dictate that the sight of a few deaths causes guilt, and thus better, subsequent care. Consequentially, fewer mantises to care for causes more ease in caring for the remaining ones. Also, overcrowding may increase the incidence of mismolts. I'm sure there are a good list of other factors that play in, but these should begin to paint a picture.
sporeworld
Well-known member
I've mention this in other threads, but it's also a matter of Cost of Goods. At the moment the ooth hatched, I had $100 "invested" in it. 100 nymphs pop out - their cost is $1 each. If i wait til adult and lose 50 on the way, they're now double the price, without adding on the cost of feeders. And so on.
Also, shipping adults is more problematic - especially big heavy ones. That prized female Idolo gets banged around in shipping, and you've got a pile of parts on the other end. :-(
I also prefer to GET nymphs, as I can say to the seller "2 died in shipping", then go back to our agreement. But an ooth sent and an ooth received is another matter. No idea who's "fault" it is if you don't get a hatching. No matter what the agreement, you're several month waiting for results - ver disheartening. Where as, a box box full of little nymphs is like Christmas morning everytime!
Also, shipping adults is more problematic - especially big heavy ones. That prized female Idolo gets banged around in shipping, and you've got a pile of parts on the other end. :-(
I also prefer to GET nymphs, as I can say to the seller "2 died in shipping", then go back to our agreement. But an ooth sent and an ooth received is another matter. No idea who's "fault" it is if you don't get a hatching. No matter what the agreement, you're several month waiting for results - ver disheartening. Where as, a box box full of little nymphs is like Christmas morning everytime!
GreenOasis
Well-known member
Second time posting after hitting the wrong stinking button! :angry:
What Peter said is spot-on. I have conducted my own experimentation with Shields and found that the mortality rate was significantly lower when they were separated out into individual cups very early after hatching, but while you *could* theorhetically raise all 200+ nymphs to adulthood with the proper care & housing, would you really want to? Who has the space or sheer willpower to care for so many mantids at one time? :blink:
The reasons I raise prices as the nymphs get older are: 1) many nymphs are lost in the first couple of molts, so if I am losing one to a mismolt or cannibalism for every one that remains, I have to charge more for the survivors to make up the loss, 2) my time spent caring for them, and 3) older nymphs are hardier & more stable for the buyer.
The reason adults are so expensive is because they have survived all the way to adulthood! The final molt is the trickiest for most species, with the first & final molts being the ones with the highest mortality rates. If you want a perfect breedable adult, with no wrinkled wings or bent legs, you have to expect to pay the price.
That being said, remember the old addage, "You get what you pay for!"
If you have the knowledge & experience, then maybe buying $2 nymphs is a pretty good deal, but if you're new & inexperienced, it could just be a waste of money (when you should've spent a little extra money & bought something older & hardier.)
What Peter said is spot-on. I have conducted my own experimentation with Shields and found that the mortality rate was significantly lower when they were separated out into individual cups very early after hatching, but while you *could* theorhetically raise all 200+ nymphs to adulthood with the proper care & housing, would you really want to? Who has the space or sheer willpower to care for so many mantids at one time? :blink:
The reasons I raise prices as the nymphs get older are: 1) many nymphs are lost in the first couple of molts, so if I am losing one to a mismolt or cannibalism for every one that remains, I have to charge more for the survivors to make up the loss, 2) my time spent caring for them, and 3) older nymphs are hardier & more stable for the buyer.
The reason adults are so expensive is because they have survived all the way to adulthood! The final molt is the trickiest for most species, with the first & final molts being the ones with the highest mortality rates. If you want a perfect breedable adult, with no wrinkled wings or bent legs, you have to expect to pay the price.
That being said, remember the old addage, "You get what you pay for!"
If you have the knowledge & experience, then maybe buying $2 nymphs is a pretty good deal, but if you're new & inexperienced, it could just be a waste of money (when you should've spent a little extra money & bought something older & hardier.)
