only in captivity that they turn cannibal

[massaman]

The praying mantis in the wild is not usually cannibalistic as part of the mating ritual. It is only in captivity that they turn cannibal. One of the reasons for this is that in captivity, they are often not given a sufficient amount of food to support the egg case.

To prevent mantis mating cannibalism, you need to feed the female on a high protein diet before, during and after mating. This also ensures a good strong ootheca. High protein levels can be found in various catepillars (eg Wax worms) and in mealworms.

Feeding while mating can be achieved by dangling a worm by fishing wire in front of the female before the male mounts.

any of this seem true or not as much?

 

[Rick]

Not true. The male gets eaten in the wild but not as much. Main reason is because in captivity the male is often left in a small space with the female and cannot escape. Feeding will not prevent the female from eating the male. Yes, it can't hurt but it is no guarantee. A mantids diet is almost always high protein because it is strictly meat. Feeding well and feeding a variety does produce good ootheca. Wax worms and mealworms should be at the bottom of the list of mantis foods. I don't feed females during mating or when the male is approaching.

 

[PhilinYuma]

Not true. The male gets eaten in the wild but not as much. Main reason is because in captivity the male is often left in a small space with the female and cannot escape. Feeding will not prevent the female from eating the male. Yes, it can't hurt but it is no guarantee. A mantids diet is almost always high protein because it is strictly meat. Feeding well and feeding a variety does produce good ootheca. Wax worms and mealworms should be at the bottom of the list of mantis foods. I don't feed females during mating or when the male is approaching.

Well, that just about covers that one!

Oh, one more thing, Massaman. In nature, males start homing in on a female when she is signalling that she is ready and when they are ready. That isn't always the case in culture. In nature, though (and O.K. this is a scond thing) mantids often spend much of their time hungry and will wait around in a non productive spot for days before moving to a new spot. They are much more likely to be well fed (not to mention getting warm, distilled water to drink ) in captivity.

 

[Emile.Wilson]

and arent mealworms all calcium, crickets and flies would give much more protein

 

[hibiscusmile]

They are a lot of fat!

 

[Rick]

and arent mealworms all calcium, crickets and flies would give much more protein

Not high in calcium but are high in phosphorous. I can post the nutrition content if anyone is interested.

 

[PhilinYuma]

Not high in calcium but are high in phosphorous. I can post the nutrition content if anyone is interested.

Yeah, would you do that, Rick? And perhaps you can put in the figures for crix and ffs, too. I was very surprised when I first saw those analyses -- just goes to show that you can't just look at an invert and figure the fatrotein ratio.

(Alas, I never have been able to find the content in houseflies!)

 

[Rick]

It wont stay in the proper format when I submit the post but the categories from left to right are: Ca, Protein, Fat, Fiber, Water, Notes. Ca represents the ratio of calcium to phosphorus. To provide a balanced diet, the Ca ratio must be taken into account, as high levels of phosphorus can block calcium conversion. Keep in mind most of this info applies to reptiles and would not always apply when feeding insects.

Ca Protein Fat Fiber Water Notes

Cricket

(before gut load) 1:12 21.3% 6% 3.2% 70% Gut-load & dust to increase calcium

Mealworm 1:25 20.3% 12.7% 1.7% 62% Low calcium, high phosphorus & fat, hard chitin shell

Waxworm 1:7 15.5% 22.2% 7.7% 62% High phosphorus, dust to increase calcium

Silkworm 1:2.4 63.8% unk unk 76% Contain an enzyme called serrapeptase, this has properties that make calcium absorption more efficient, can reduce inflammation, pain and best of all it can break down arterial plaque. (not applicable to mantids)

 

[lectricblueyes]

I personally enjoy a nice milk chocolate bar or a freshly made ham sandwich after mating. Also, a smoke out on the balcony while checking out the evening stars is a perfect ending. Not sure if those would help out with the mating but they could create a more "calm" environment.

 

[Eldur]

I personally enjoy a nice milk chocolate bar or a freshly made ham sandwich after mating. Also, a smoke out on the balcony while checking out the evening stars is a perfect ending. Not sure if those would help out with the mating but they could create a more "calm" environment.

Haha :lol:

 

[hibiscusmile]

Ignore Lectric! and go to www.spiderpharm.com to check out the house flies.

 

[jameslongo]

I personally enjoy a nice milk chocolate bar or a freshly made ham sandwich after mating. Also, a smoke out on the balcony while checking out the evening stars is a perfect ending. Not sure if those would help out with the mating but they could create a more "calm" environment.

No post-cuddles? :lol: