unknown bugs

[chocolatecolubrid]

A friend of mine has just started to "hatch" an ooth (sp. unknown) and has the nymphs in a large tub until the entire lot is done. She's introduced a fruit fly culture to the tub for the new nymphs to feed as they need to, but there are some weird little insects appearing now which we dont know what they are. They are similar to tiny winged ants or wasps but they have a huge ovipositor. She's not sure if theyve come from the mantis ooth or the fruitflies, but either way the mantids wont eat them. Ive been searching online and have found references to controlling pest fruitflies with a parasitic wasp, anyone know if these are what we're seeing? If so, are they a danger to the mantids?

Also forgot to mention theyre about the same size as the mantid nymphs, about half a cm long, and entirely black with clear wings.

 

[Mantida]

A friend of mine has just started to "hatch" an ooth (sp. unknown) and has the nymphs in a large tub until the entire lot is done. She's introduced a fruit fly culture to the tub for the new nymphs to feed as they need to, but there are some weird little insects appearing now which we dont know what they are. They are similar to tiny winged ants or wasps but they have a huge ovipositor. She's not sure if theyve come from the mantis ooth or the fruitflies, but either way the mantids wont eat them. Ive been searching online and have found references to controlling pest fruitflies with a parasitic wasp, anyone know if these are what we're seeing? If so, are they a danger to the mantids?

They might have been parasitic wasps from the ootheca. Was her ooth wildcaught or captive bred? Parasitic wasps are generally present in wild caught oothecae.

Generally, wasps are a danger to mantids. Either way, if they are parasitic wasps or not, you may find it wise to remove them anyway.

 

[chocolatecolubrid]

Thanks for the quick reply. Im not sure about the ooth's background, she might post herself with further details.

Thanks again

Mel

 

[asdsdf]

Ya, its probbably a parsitic wasp that lays eggs inside of an ootheca. They survie the cold in there, and eat the nymphs. I would kill the wasps.

 

[chocolatecolubrid]

Thanks for the replies, info passed on. Apparently the wasps have all gone, theres no sign of them anywhere, just disappeared overnight :huh: I have my suspicions theyve done their deed and died but my mate seems optimistic.

Thanks for the fast replies