You guys having bad luck with sellers too I take it. It's sad that there are so many more of these species selling than actual carolina ooths. =(
I wound up buying Nymphs from Mikhalis and they were incredibly healthy and sooooo cute! If you can't get an ooth I second MantisGalore's recommendation to buy nymphs.
That is not Stagmomantis carolina as usual, those ooths are Tenodera angustipennis (I don't know the seller, but they haven't a clue as they are not Carolina as they say). Those are usually from sellers in the southern states (or warmer climates) as the Tenodera angustipennis are typically found there, and Stagmomantis carolina are not as common.
Wrong species and the person is rather rude so I would suggest avoiding them. A few months back when I was looking I inquired if they could verify they had the right species and they gave a very vague curt response. When I asked if I could see specific photos of the ootheca instead of stock images they stated it would be a waste of their time so I didn't purchase. It also doesn't help they are using a stock image of a Tenodera angustipennis ootheca along with a photo of a female laying an ootheca for all their Carolina listings . . .
They even threw in a photo of a Tenodara sinensis ooth hatching as well in their auction.
Yah I got the impression the only reason he answered initially is he was hoping I would just go ahead and purchase one off him. It's sad that natives are so much harder to find then non-natives. =(They even threw in a photo of a Tenodara sinensis ooth hatching as well in their auction.
Glad to see you know of the seller, I've contacted them before and was one who simply ignored my messages. Guess I should be thankful he didn't try to get crappy about it, but then of course using the ebay message system they would have proof if they cared.
That sounds about right, and sadly seems that type of person has been showing up more lately in the hobby.
Man if you ever end up with a spare Carolina ootheca I would love to pick one up down the line. I constantly seem to miss this species. No one ever seems to be selling when I am looking to buy. Sadly it seems like no one bothers with breeding the natives. I rarely see Phyllovates chlorophaea or Pseudovates arizonae in culture either and those guys even have an exotic feel with their interesting shapes.That sounds about right, and sadly seems that type of person has been showing up more lately in the hobby.
Well at least the Angustipennis is a naturalized species, but I know what you mean. I had a hard time originally finding natives anywhere online myself, then thankfully I started to recognize and find some myself locally. Seems they are either a overlooked species as they are available local for many, or not valued as much as a exotic so they don't bother with them.
From my posts and images lately I keep getting PM's with members wanting to buy Carolina ooths. I have been helping them, but I'm nearly out of ootheca besides some for my area now, and pets for myself of course. Maybe I should just keep a breeding stock of them this year, so I can offer captive breed Carolina ooths to anyone that is looking for them on MF later. Sadly though that won't help those tricked on ebay, and even one seller offering the correct ones wouldn't do much difference either.
LOL, priceless.
Sure I am collecting some more for another member at the moment, so I'll have to see if I can find a few extra if you want any (they will be hatching in 2 to 4 weeks as it is warming up around here). It is now up to seven members since I returned, counting you. 
