Research Project, Need Help

[vernSL]

I'm doing a research project for school and need some help with a few things. I need to be able to raise about 20 males and 20 female Tenodera aridifolia sinensis. I'm purchasing 3 egg cases, and once they hatch, will hopefully be keeping about 100. I figure I need to keep that many until I can sex them and then keep 30 males and 30 females, taking into account deaths, etc.

I am then doing a study on the sexual cannibalism of the species. But the problem I'm having is trying to figure out how to house that many. I was thinking of buying something like these:

http://www.dollartree.com/cleaning-storage-hardware/storage/Plastic-Storage-Boxes-with-Lids/212c261c261p296342/index.pro

And keeping 5 or so in them until they can be sexed. Would this be possible at all? And once they can be sexed, what very inexpensive housing would work for the adults? I obviously need to keep them separated, but I can't go out and buy 100 cages for them. What would you guys recommend?

Feeding and care won't be an issue, it's the housing and price of the housing that is causing the issue.

Thank you for any help you guys can give.

 

[agent A]

I'm doing a research project for school and need some help with a few things. I need to be able to raise about 20 males and 20 female Tenodera aridifolia sinensis. I'm purchasing 3 egg cases, and once they hatch, will hopefully be keeping about 100. I figure I need to keep that many until I can sex them and then keep 30 males and 30 females, taking into account deaths, etc.

I am then doing a study on the sexual cannibalism of the species. But the problem I'm having is trying to figure out how to house that many. I was thinking of buying something like these:

http://www.dollartre...96342/index.pro

And keeping 5 or so in them until they can be sexed. Would this be possible at all? And once they can be sexed, what very inexpensive housing would work for the adults? I obviously need to keep them separated, but I can't go out and buy 100 cages for them. What would you guys recommend?

Feeding and care won't be an issue, it's the housing and price of the housing that is causing the issue.

Thank you for any help you guys can give.

i dont know if those r tall enough for mantises

i'd recommend bulk buying deli cups, mantisplace has amazing quantity discounts on 32oz deli cups

http://mantisplace.com/insectcups.html#32ozcup

 

[maybon]

i dont know if those r tall enough for mantises

i'd recommend bulk buying deli cups, mantisplace has amazing quantity discounts on 32oz deli cups

http://mantisplace.c...ps.html#32ozcup

Yep deli cups +1.

 

[vernSL]

Those containers should be perfect. The only issue is, are they big enough to house an adult?

Also, from what I understand, around L5 I can sex the mantises. How long will it take to get to L5 and can I house a few of them inside one of those 32oz containers until they can be sexed?

Thank you

 

[bobericc]

tenodera is a pretty large mantis, almost 4 inches..

they could start off in the plastic tubs you've listed.

but would need a larger net cage or at least a 32oz deli cup at later instars.

as they will need more vertical room to molt properly..

they can climb plastic

but should also be given some extra gripping surface on the top of their enclosure

it's also a mantis that is prone to many early die offs

keep up with the humidity, ventilation and food and you should be fine.