ootheca question

[Darth Mantis]

Does an ootheca need to be kept in a humid environment during its diapause or just while its incubating in a warm environment. 

 

[River Dane]

Hi Darth Mantis,

What species do you have?

 

[Darth Mantis]

I believe Chinese Mantis. I caught her from the wild (maybe thats not 100 legal but whateves).

 

[River Dane]

If you live in the United States, collecting wild Mantids is legal. They’re not endangered, as far as I’m aware.

As it is a native species, you can try to mimic the weather outside or even just let the ooth sit outside for the remainder of it’s diapause. But you can also wait for some mantis experts to come in, they might be able to offer better advice.

Pics might also help in identifying the ooth.

Good luck!

—D.E.

 

[Darth Mantis]

Well I have 4 ooths in the fridge in two different containers ill just mist one and not the other (unless someone tells me I need to mist them) and see if any of them hatch come spring. They have been in my fridge for a while so if they needed more humidity than they had then they may have already dried out beyond return. no where when I googled did it say I needed to mist them it just said stick em in the fridge but I might should have come here first and seen whats what. The mantis that laid them wasn't exactly young when they were laid and I guess there is no guarantee that they were even fertilized in the first place. I suppose I could cut one open and see if its dried out on the inside but I don't want to do that till I know for sure they wont hatch.

 

[Darth Mantis]

Its pretty dang dry outside during the winter here so I would think the fridge would match outside fine during its diapause.

 

[Serle]

hy Darth  Your ooth would be better off in an unheated shed or outside . I have wood heat in my place and it is all that I can do to keep humidity at 40% . Outside it is a natural 75 to 80 % in winter , with the snow . Both Chinese (tenodera) & European (religiosa) are naturalized here therefore winter time is a needed diapause ....  S

 

[CosbyArt]

I believe Chinese Mantis. I caught her from the wild (maybe thats not 100 legal but whateves).

All native and naturalized mantid species are 100% legal to own, sell/trade, etc in the US; however, any posts that deal with anything illegal is removed from this forum, we are a family-friendly site and do not promote breaking any laws.

You should not mist any ooth itself as it only leads to mold, especially confined in a refrigerated container. Humidity and anything else related to ooths can be found here...

 

[Darth Mantis]

Alright thank you all for helping.