Tropical species need more time before mating?

minomantis · Nov 22, 2018

Wow what a thrill

! Tried to mate my Peruvian leaf mantis today and she was having NONE OF IT!!

Good thing I had tongs handy. Male wouldn't let go and I kept saying "Are you trying to die today? Let go!" (As I'm gently trying to get him off) She is a just about a month old and she eats about 8 flies and a juvenile dubia almost daily and her abdomen is always full so I thought she'd be ready.

I knew it wasn't going to end well because as soon as she noticed the male was on her, she lifted her wings turned and striked several times and kept doing it. She also was trying to kick him off so I knew this wasn't the right time. She wasn't freaking out like panicking, but I just knew it wasn't time. I will keep her well fed and heated and see if that'll do anything and then try again! (I managed to get him off *phew*

)

It made me think though that tropical species may need longer than 2 weeks (approximately) before being bred? Anyone have thoughts or ideas on this? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Mystymantis · Nov 22, 2018

Glad to hear your male is safe and you got him off. Sure sounds like you had an exciting day!

I haven't had that species before but from my experience it seems some mantises need a lot longer then just 2 weeks once they hit adulthood to be ready to breed. So I would wait a week or two and see if she is ready then. Perhaps 4 or more weeks. And even then you could wait to see if she starts calling and then try and breed them. When a female starts calling it usually means she is ready.

Good luck!

minomantis · Nov 26, 2018

Thanks for your response @Mystymantis! I did further research and apparently this species is also very aggressive when it comes to mating!

Update it's 7:23pm on November 26th and the pair are mating!!!

Honestly I think there were a couple factors, one being it was day time, that might've been a big one. After the first attempt, I let her chill for the rest of the day. Friday I fed her good because I was going out of town on Saturday. I put 20 BB fly cocoons in her cage and came back today to them being all open and NO flies in there and a very full female. Fed her 5 1/4 inch dubias to make sure she was really full.

Had hee walk up a branch and put the male behind her. I dimmed the lights (to set the mood) and the rest was history! Wish me luck!

MantisGirl13 · Nov 26, 2018

minomantis said:
Thanks for your response @Mystymantis! I did further research and apparently this species is also very aggressive when it comes to mating!

Update it's 7:23pm on November 26th and the pair are mating!!!

Honestly I think there were a couple factors, one being it was day time, that might've been a big one. After the first attempt, I let her chill for the rest of the day. Friday I fed her good because I was going out of town on Saturday. I put 20 BB fly cocoons in her cage and came back today to them being all open and NO flies in there and a very full female. Fed her 5 1/4 inch dubias to make sure she was really full.

Had hee walk up a branch and put the male behind her. I dimmed the lights (to set the mood) and the rest was history! Wish me luck!

That's awesome! I may try that with my budwing pair, who are refusing to mate right now!

- MantisGirl13

Mystymantis · Nov 26, 2018

minomantis said:
Thanks for your response @Mystymantis! I did further research and apparently this species is also very aggressive when it comes to mating!

Update it's 7:23pm on November 26th and the pair are mating!!!

Honestly I think there were a couple factors, one being it was day time, that might've been a big one. After the first attempt, I let her chill for the rest of the day. Friday I fed her good because I was going out of town on Saturday. I put 20 BB fly cocoons in her cage and came back today to them being all open and NO flies in there and a very full female. Fed her 5 1/4 inch dubias to make sure she was really full.

Had hee walk up a branch and put the male behind her. I dimmed the lights (to set the mood) and the rest was history! Wish me luck!