Thanks a lot Phil! That did answer my questions, and yes this is very fruitful topic indeed. So, say one was to simulate a mantis ecosystem for some "generic" mantis (T. sinensis); what would be all that would be needed to include to make it more realistic? I would imagine including (obviously) a plant that that species is found on, prey that it would feed upon (preferably plant eaters such as aphids?), and predators that would feed upon the mantid nymphs (jumping spiders, ladybugs, etc.). But besides that, what about regarding microscopic level? Would any special attention be necessary for maintaining the ecosystem for the nymphs' life span? Or are there other factors I'm missing?
Also, say the subject were T. sinensis, with its large hatch rate. How would someone determine the amount of prey and predator (and mantids for that matter) in a given area? And anticipating the large die offs of T. sinensis, what would be the best way in determining the amount of predators so the mantids aren't all devoured?
Sorry for the delay in answering, Mantidlord (I got some great new material on the Indian Mountain Artillery in the Second Afghan War. Love those screw guns!). This is a topic on which I have spent a lot of thought since I was keeping tropical fish in large tanks, and I have had no reason in the intervening decades to change my mind.
The most "natural" environment that I have seen for a single orchid mantis was presented in a fascinating series of posts by member Tony from Holland on a vivarium which was pretty much self supporting. It used soil bacteria, fungi and tiny animals like springtails, as I remember, to keep the micro flora and fauna in balance. Perhaps you say the posts?
I have to say that I am probably enthralled by enclosures, such as a well designed, carefully lit vivarium or planted aquarium more than most, perhaps because they are reminiscent of the really good trips (and by "trip" I mean the psychedelic experience consequent on the ingestion of illicit hallucinogens) of my youth. For whatever reason, I recommend them highly for their own sake, but I do not think that they are the best way to raise mantids, nor do I think that they resemble the mantids' natural environment in any meaningful way.
I have no doubt that the professional lab set ups, with their emphasis on simplicity, cleanliness and readily controlled food, temperature and humidity, provide the best environment for raising the little critters, and they have the added advantage of never being mistaken for a natural environment.
One of the hallmarks of an ecosystem is change. Where that change is severely limited, as on a small island, the system tends to be stultified. You mention spiders as predators of young mantids. I don't know about jumping spiders, but early-instar nymphs are particularly vulnerable to small web spinners, but as they grow, the nymphs turn the tables on the spiders who are forced to "flee the area". This example, one of many, is given in two excellent articles/chapters on mantis ecology in the Prete book. If you don't have it, I have two pieces of good new. First, now that it is eleven years old, the price has dropped to around $20 on Ebay (thanks again, Mike) and only slightly more on Amazon. Still too expensive? Google "Ecology of Praying Mantids" Hurd and "The ecology and Foraging strategy of Tenodora angustipennis" Matsura . The Prete book has become a Google book, but it is most easily accessed by chapter headings and you can read them for free! You will find these very interesting. T. matsura is my mantis ecology hero, and if you P.M. me after reading his chapter, I can give you refs to articles specifically on mantis predation in a given environment.
Good luck and Good reading!
BTW, the 7pounder (standard field gun at the time was a 9 pounder), jointed, rifled, muzzle loading, black-powder "screw gun', so called because the breech and barrel (and just about everything else, come to that) were carried separately and screwed together with a trunnion hoop, was deployed in the 1880s in Afghanistan in much the same terrain as that used by American combat troops today. It weighed 400lbs and needed another 400lbs of "extras" like ammunition, and was carried on mules, but on arrival, everything was offloaded, the barrel and breech screwed together, wheels mounted, gun loaded and set up for the first shot in under one minute!