T. sinensis Ootheca Update & Questions

[shorty]

Hi all,

I have been anxiously awaiting the hatching of one or more of my twelve oothecae. I spray their containers two to three times a week and use a sphagnum moss substrate. I have excelsior for the nymphs to climb on when (if) they emerge. I am hoping that at least one of them hatches. I have never hatched an ootheca before and I'm hoping I am doing things right. I get paranoid that they won't hatch. Below is a list of observations along with a list of things I am doing to care for them. Please let me know if I am doing anything wrong.

1. I mist them once to three times weekly. I keep them in a relatively shady location but a place that still gets light.

2. I use sphagnum moss as a substrate and excelsior for furniture. (I know already said some of these things, but I will reiterate to make a complete list)

3. The temperature in my room is about room temperature, although I've never officially gauged it.

4. It sometimes gets a bit cold in my room. (Slightly below 70 degrees F.)

5. I've noticed some of the oothecae are getting darker. Does this mean anything? Some are getting darker in spots but on closer observation, it does not appear to be mold.

6. I have the oothecae glued to the bottom of the lid to the enclosure. I have to remove the lid to spray, will this cause a problem?

Thank you to all who answer my questions. I am just worried because I've never done this before. Hatching oothecae and mating mantids are about the only things I completely lack experience with in this hobby. If you see any problems with what I am doing, let me know how I can fix it and I will do so promptly. Also, keep in mind all of the oothecae are T. sinensis. Is there anything special I should for this particular species?

Thanks for your help!

 

[Rick]

You like many people new to this hobby worry far too much. These are about the easiest ooths to hatch. Only mist enough to keep the substrate slightly moist. Don't have to mist the ooths. As long as the daytime temps are warm you should be ok. Ooths don't really change color. These take 4-8 weeks or so to hatch. By the way, you have far too many and you will soon see why.

 

[Katnapper]

Shorty, it sounds like you are doing everything right to me. I can't think of anything more you could do, so like Rick said, try not to worry. The hardest part is the waiting...

 

[shorty]

Thanks for responding. I know I worry too much but you must understand this is my first time hatching them. I also know better than to not mist the ooths themselves as it will cause mold. And am well aware of having far too many oothecae but it was not my choice to get 12 of them! I doubt all of them will hatch, but even so, I will have my hands full. The only thing I am worried about is the temperature. I am thinking about getting a heat lamp or a space heater to keep them a bit warmer. I will probably have to mist them a bit more but I think it will help as long as it doesn't dry them out too much. Thanks again.

 

[Rick]

Thanks for responding. I know I worry too much but you must understand this is my first time hatching them. I also know better than to not mist the ooths themselves as it will cause mold. And am well aware of having far too many oothecae but it was not my choice to get 12 of them! I doubt all of them will hatch, but even so, I will have my hands full. The only thing I am worried about is the temperature. I am thinking about getting a heat lamp or a space heater to keep them a bit warmer. I will probably have to mist them a bit more but I think it will help as long as it doesn't dry them out too much. Thanks again.

I've never needed to use a heat lamp. Only see it being needed if your room is pretty chilly. As you said it will really dry things out.

 

[Headspace]

When I first got into this hobby I'd throw the ooths in a sealed jar (with some gauze covering it) and let it sit, in a dry room, for a few weeks. I have never, ever not had one hatch if it was fertile. Nowadays I'd mist but with T. Sinensis it's not a big deal.