Surpise early hatching!

[Mystymantis]

This afternoon I was surprised to find out one of my Chinese mantis egg cases that was in the garage for overwintering started hatching! I haven't ever had any hatch this early so I was taken by surprise. I am assuming warm weather has something to do with it. I am super glad I noticed them hatching though! But I had to do an emergency run to the pet store to get fruit flies for the little guys, since I only have the larger Hydei flies at the moment. Now to the task of separating them into little cups, always fun!

 

[Ocelotbren]

Exciting!  Were they enclosed in something, or roaming free in the garage?

 

[Mystymantis]

Exciting!  Were they enclosed in something, or roaming free in the garage?

They were in something.  They are in their overwintering medium sized critter keeper. I had the egg case strung up and hanging from the ceiling, and of course had the container nymph proof, as in there was a paper towel over the top, to prevent escapes when they would hatch. So no escapes. Several more have hatched out since earlier today.

 

[Ocelotbren]

Sounds like you were prepared, despite the surprise!  That is good to hear.

 

[Serle]

I love those pleasant surprizes .... good luck Mysty .... S

 

[Mystymantis]

More babies keep coming out! ever since they started last week around 5-10 or so have been emerging each day.  I have noticed when the egg cases hatch early they seem to do this slow hatch in stages thing. One that hatched last year in April did the same thing, though it wasn't as early as this one. But it is really cool.

 

[Sarah K]

More babies keep coming out! ever since they started last week around 5-10 or so have been emerging each day.  I have noticed when the egg cases hatch early they seem to do this slow hatch in stages thing. One that hatched last year in April did the same thing, though it wasn't as early as this one. But it is really cool.

This has been happening with my Carolina nymphs all winter! I am guessing it is related to the ooths not getting a full diapause, like they normally would have in nature. It is super cool though! I wish more species had "incremental" hatches like this.  LOL

 

[Ocelotbren]

I have never hatched an ooth, but it does seem like incremental hatches would be easier to manage.