Ootheca questions...

[Love2read]

First off, how should I go about removing my Chinese ootheca from the mom's container? She laid it in the most inconvenient spot possible so that it's connected to the lid AND the container, making me scared I'll accidentally rip it apart if I try and remove the lid.

Secondly, once an ootheca has been moved to a separate container, is there anything that needs to be done(such as misting) or should I pretty much just set it aside and forget about it til the babies hatch?

I've attached a pic of the inconveniently-located ootheca...

 

[Rick]

You need to make sure it has fully dried before attempting removal. Might be able to pry it off by hand but may need a razor blade. You care for an ooth much like the mantis, keep it warm and mist it occasionally.

 

[Domanating]

keep it warm

I thought Chinese ooths should go through an hibernation period first.

 

[Rick]

I thought Chinese ooths should go through an hibernation period first.

Only if you want to delay hatching. They don't need a cold period in order to hatch.

 

[Domanating]

But I heard somewhere that if you do that the newborns will become weak and feeble because they didn't develop correctly. I thought that would apply to all species that could diapause

 

[hibiscusmile]

LOTS of pld myths out there, listen to Father Rick! When it is dry, just slowly peal away and it will come off easy. Mine did this the other day too.

 

[Love2read]

Thank you all for the info! It looks so fragile that I'm scared I'll rip it apart if I try and remove it. >.<

 

[Domanating]

Thank you all for the info! It looks so fragile that I'm scared I'll rip it apart if I try and remove it. >.<

Don't worry,ooths are very tough. Don't forget that they are made to withstand everything the weather has to offer.

When you grab it, your fingers might sink in a little but that's just the outer foam protection. The eggs are very well protected in a second shield like structure. The only way you can damage that first layer is if you really intend to the destroy the ooth. A few days ago I tested the toughness of my Religiosa ooths using an infertile one. I tried to smash it between 2 fingers with all my strenght. The foam was ruined but I was unable to get through the 1st layer.