Ootheca laid on critter keeper cover, supposed to be outside

[Bugmankeith]

A wild mantis I saved from dying in the cold laid an ootheca on cage cover even though I provided sticks I was going to tie the stick to a shrub outside. This ootheca I want to hatch outside in spring, how can I prop the cage cover outside?

 

[Digger]

Keith,

This happens to me all the time with my Tenodera sinensis. Yes, the ooth can/should diapause in an environment that closely matches the outside conditions (unheated garage, shed, etc). If you don.t want to disturb the ooth, you can just put the cage top in another container - like a bag. It has to be closed tight and have the ability to "breathe." You also should lightly mist the ooth every couple of weeks. Or, after about 7-10 days, you can carefully scrape the ooth off the grid using a razor. Then store the ooth upright through the winter outside.

 

[dlemmings]

just CAREFULLY scrape it off with a razor and glue it somewhere semi sheltered in the garden or patio. depending on where you are misting may be helpful but not needed if it is native to your geography I love seeing wild mantids on my patio and since starting the hobby I have so many people bringing me mantids (like I needed more!) so I hope to see a bumper crop this spring.