Religosa Ooth

[sk8erkho]

Just wondering if my Religosa ooth has to stay in the refrigerator for exactly two or is it give or take a few days. Is this an exact idea inre to the cold period thing or is it really important that it be right on point. I received it on the 19th of November so technically the nineteenth is the date I set to begin the incubation at room temp!

 

[hibiscusmile]

Do u mean 2 months or two days? Days is not ok, months is, and if u put it in, in Nov it is ok to incubate now. I just put one in today too! We're twins! :lol:

 

[Rick]

Last one I put in was put in for two months and a whole four nymps hatched. I have another one outside I will be bringing in at the end of the month. I really like these when they're adults but they are they most pathetically weak mantids ever.

 

[asdsdf]

My hatch was even better! 1 deformed and one healthyish that both died a day after! (1 month in refrigeration)

 

[joossa]

As Rebbecca mentioned, days won't do. Make it for at least one month.

Make sure that if you use the fridge, you provide indirect moisture to the ooth. The fridge literally sucks out all moisture, leaving the air quite dry, which will dessicate your ooth. When using the fridge, I usually place my ooths in a zip-lock bag. I also add a small paper towel to surround the ooth. Finally, I make sure that a corner of the towel is wet. You don't want the moisture to come in direct contact with the ooth in order to prevent mold/fungal growth, but the moisture will dissociate and distribute in the bag, providing some humidity. Every week I add a couple drops of water to the corner of the paper towel as it too tends to dry out a bit. For the past three seasons I have used this method without any problems at all... Of course I did it with another species, though.

This winter I am utilizing my unheated garage to provide a cold period for all my ooths. The temperatures outside fluctuate from the night's low to the daytime high and the ooths receive a more natural cold period. Of course, I spray The paper towel substrate in each container to maintain some humidity.

 

[hibiscusmile]

Last one I put in was put in for two months and a whole four nymps hatched. I have another one outside I will be bringing in at the end of the month. I really like these when they're adults but they are they most pathetically weak mantids ever.

I agree with Rick, I just had about 150 hatch and maybe 30 are left!

I also put in fridge in a plastic container, i do spray the ooths and have no problem with mold, it is too cold in mine for mold. The ooths need a lot of water in the fridge like Joossa said, the moisture is sucked out to make air cold...blab blab!

 

[sk8erkho]

Okay the 19th is the due date. When I take it out, what then? Do I leave it at room temp or put it in a 32oz. and put a heating pad under it? Do I continue to spray it daily as well? ( i think I know the answer to the last question!) :mellow:

 

[hibiscusmile]

When it is taken out, put it in a 32 oz with some excelsior. Spray every day and in a little bit "BOOM" babies :lol: .You do not need heat pad, if it is cold in your room, set it on the tv or refrigerator top, any appliance which throws off heat. nothin cuter than a nymph, they are so nosey, open the container and they are all over you.

I have a new tips and tricks page on the website coming up this week, it tells all about ooths and their care. Go there and have a lookie! maybe tonight, but maybe not. i am trying to hurry!!!

 

[Ben.M]

I put mine in the fridge for 5 weeks, then incubated it and it hatched 2 days ago think i got about 35 nymphs from it but this morning when i looked i could see about 10 new hatchlings so there maybe more