i understand that females reach sexual maturity about a month after molting. same with males? my male orchid just molted - should i wait a month to attempt mating to my female mantis, who molted about 2 months ago.
sexual maturity question
- Thread starter womantis
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When they do their final molt to adulthood (get their wings) they are sexually mature 3 to 4 weeks from that last molt. At that point many keepers begin breeding the females so their first ooth is fertile as well.
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as the males have a shorter lifespan, would it make sense that male orchids reach sexual maturity before 3-4 weeks after last molt?
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Males may reach maturity a bit quicker, but I wouldn't try it until they are 3 weeks old.
I pulled up the caresheet for Orchids and it is 3 to 4 weeks for sexual maturity. It seems the main issue for Orchids is getting fertile ooths from the species, that task itself is rated at a "expert" care level (from the datasheet). I personally haven't kept Orchids so can not give any tips on getting fertile ooths.
I do know the Japanese boxers (Acromantis japonica) species I kept recently I did not get any fertile ooths; although, I witnessed the male successfully connect with the female on at least two separate occasions. In that regard perhaps it isn't a stretch to label species as one level of care, but producing fertile ooths as another. Hopefully the Orchid keepers will respond with some tips.
