Orchid ooth hatching rate?

[PlayingMantis]

My orchid ooth hatched today this morning, after 41 days of incubation. However, only 10 nymphs emerged, which came out of only 2 holes along the "zipper" of the ooth. I checked again right now, 10 hours later, and there are still only 10 babies. Do orchid ooths hatch over the course of a few days? Or do you think this is it?

 

[SSimsswiSS]

I'd say that's it. Most I've had hatch out at a time is 123. I just had a weak hatch of only 6 from a ooth over the weekend.

 

[PlayingMantis]

Aww okay , thanks for the info ! I was hoping for more but I guess a lot of factors come into play, also this ooth spent several days in the mail, which could be a risk factor. Well, at least I got some nymphs...

 

[Aryia]

How large was the ooth? I would leave it for 2 more weeks just in case, and then you could open it up to check if there were any unhatched or unfertilized eggs. Though generally my latest straggler usually comes at three days. Some species like M. Caffra can take 2 months to fully hatch out though.

 

[PlayingMantis]

Thanks for the advice! The ooth is 1.75 inches long and looks "good," I mean, in terms of shape, color, and texture. No more nymphs emerged...but I guess it won't hurt to wait a while, and then I'll cut it open to see if the eggs were unfertilized or if the nymphs somehow died during development.

My ten little nymphs are so cute - they've already sipped little droplets of water, but haven't started eating yet. But it's only been 38 hours. I can't wait to see them eat!

 

[dmina]

Pictures would be nice.. hint* hint*

 

[PlayingMantis]

Sorry I missed your post! Sure, here's a photo - I know it's bad quality. I only had time to take a quick picture before rushing out to work. In total, only 10 nymphs (I believe I didn't keep the humidity high enough because I was out of town for several days before the hatch, and my "pet sitter" apparently forgot to spray it. So lesson learned: keep up the humidity especially in the last stages.

Anyways, one nymph died unexpectedly after two days, and the other nine are currently L2 and doing well. I have two more ooths cooking so hopefully I will be overrun with orchids soon.

 

[dmina]

Wow... Picture is perfect...looks cool...

Thanks for sharing!