Tell me about your (semi)communal species experiences

[lizzie]

While I know most agree there is no true "communal" species of mantis, there are a few species that people are able to house together successfully. I currently have cat-eyes (perfect angels) and ghosts (tricky until I figured out they love hiding in ferns), but I would like to experiment with more. What are your experiences? Anyone kept Popa spurca communally? I've heard mixed reports on those.

 

[Synapze]

I've kept Popa spurca communally. They did well together for me, but there was one casualty once they hit adulthood.

I've only had one incident with cat-eyes, but it was after mating so I don't know if that counts.

 

[lizzie]

I've kept Popa spurca communally. They did well together for me, but there was one casualty once they hit adulthood.

Yeah, I'm interested in trying Popa spurca next. I volunteer in the insect department of a science museum, so I'm trying to breed mantids for them and other local museums. They always have displays of single female orchids or dead leafs, but I think large displays of (relatively)communal species would be interesting. There are plenty of insect colonies there that occasionally have cannibalism, so the museum would take that risk.

 

[hibiscusmile]

Papa while small are ok together, but nearing sub adult I would separate. I have some now together and they are 3rd instar doing ok.

 

[Mantid Z.]

Ive kept popa together no problem. Ghost nymphs can get spooked from eachother but either than that havent had any major incidents.

 

[Mystymantis]

I have kept Grizzled mantises together in a larger container until about L4 without to many major incidents.