T. sinensis Ooth Diapause

[SkittishMale]

I have read from a few different sources that diapause is not required for Chinese Mantis (Tenodera sinensis) oothecae. I know in the wild that they do go through a natural diapause so I am curious of how the ootheca can hatch in captivity if the winter diapause wasn't broken.

Is it true that the oothecae of this species does not require a winter diapause? If it is not given a diapause, would the nymphs still hatch out healthy or would they be weak? and what is the hatch rate of a non-diapaused T. sinensis ooth?

 

[Rick]

They don't need a cold period. I have not seen any evidence of any difference between those that have had a cold period and those that haven't.

 

[I_love_mantids]

look at my tread

 

[HungryGhost]

look at my tread

The tread on your tire, or are you treading on thin ice? Please make sense.

 

[Extrememantid]

They are native to parts of Asia that do not get very cold in the winter.. Therefore they do not need diapause

 

[SkittishMale]

That's pretty cool that I don't need to diapause them. That gives me the option with whether or not I want to store them for later or let them incubate and have them hatch as soon as possible.

Does anyone know if Mantis religiosa can be hatched healthy without diapause? I know this species is a more northern one so I would guess not but I would like some input about this species too. Currently, I diapause the oothecae for 6 weeks at minimum or more as suggested by Keepinginsects.com.

 

[HungryGhost]

I would diapause mantis religiosa for 12 weeks minimum.

 

[SkittishMale]

12 weeks eh? That probably is better because when I do it for 6 weeks, I only get like half of what normally hatches out under more natural conditions like when I collect oothecae in the Spring from the wild. Wild M. religiosa will hatch tons of nymphs from ooths collected from the wild but I think the varied diets of wild mantids probably also contribute to better egg-laying.

 

[mantiseater]

All ooths that I keep warm do just fine

 

[Extrememantid]

12 weeks eh? That probably is better because when I do it for 6 weeks, I only get like half of what normally hatches out under more natural conditions like when I collect oothecae in the Spring from the wild. Wild M. religiosa will hatch tons of nymphs from ooths collected from the wild but I think the varied diets of wild mantids probably also contribute to better egg-laying.

I'll diapause mantis religiosa for around 8 weeks.. Seems just fine.. I just collected 10 ooths from a bush I found near 7-eleven. I'm gonna leave a few outside and warm a few up

 

[peterandersen]

Diapause is somthing they can tolerate, but is not needed, they live wild here where I live and there is no days under 25 degrees

 

[peterandersen]

I'll diapause mantis religiosa for around 8 weeks.. Seems just fine.. I just collected 10 ooths from a bush I found near 7-eleven. I'm gonna leave a few outside and warm a few up

Would you be interested in trading some? I can offer Statilia (Asian jumping mantis) I got 3 species maculata, nemoralis and apicalis

 

[Extrememantid]

Would you be interested in trading some? I can offer Statilia (Asian jumping mantis) I got 3 species maculata, nemoralis and apicalis

Yes.. I would most likely trade a few

 

[SkittishMale]

Keepinginsects.com states that if the ooths aren't diapaused for a minimum of 6-8 weeks, the nymphs will hatch out weak. That means that diapause is mandatory for Mantis religiosa. Maybe this applies only to mantids collected from an environment that experiences cold winters that drop well below 0 degrees Celsius. Maybe M. religiosa collected from places with milder winters are exempt from this rule. That is something I would like to find out for sure.

Here's the link to the species profile on that site. http://www.keepinginsects.com/praying-mantis/species/european-mantis/

 

[Extrememantid]

Keepinginsects.com states that if the ooths aren't diapaused for a minimum of 6-8 weeks, the nymphs will hatch out weak. That means that diapause is mandatory for Mantis religiosa. Maybe this applies only to mantids collected from an environment that experiences cold winters that drop well below 0 degrees Celsius. Maybe M. religiosa collected from places with milder winters are exempt from this rule. That is something I would like to find out for sure.

Here's the link to the species profile on that site. http://www.keepinginsects.com/praying-mantis/species/european-mantis/

I think it's important to diapause the species no matter what if your keeping them in captivity.. But someone will have to test that theory of yours