What do you do with them all?

[patrickfraser]

I let them "self feed" among themselves from time to time. I think the worst that could happen is that your population, at the most, will be diminished by 50%. I figure if they're about the same size as what they're eating it should sate them for a bit. They have to be really hungry to tackle and eat a sibling. Survival of the fittest. It leaves you with the fiercest and strongest ones which will most likely breed and produce better.

 

[yen_saw]

Or you can send it to me

Seriously, if you are worry about it and don't want to pack/ship mantis, keep only species that you can release.

 

[crucis]

agree with mr yen. IMO it can also be very rewarding to do some (responsibly light!) collecting from the wild, provided the mantids acquired are young nymphs. That way u stand to improve their chances of survival. When they are adults it would be great to breed them and release both parents and offspring in the same general area where you found them.

 

[SilentDeviL]

Cannibalism! Let them eat eachother! It sounds bad but it happens in nature. It can really help lower the large number of babies!!

I think that's what I'm ganna have to do ... not sure how this happened I had 120-150 Chinese hatch out ... this is the 3rd week ,..... I still have more then 100+ left.... and I have over 30+ 24oz and 32oz cup with them in it .... I'm trying to keep them all alive and happy but is way too much work takes more then 1 hr just to feed them...... i have 3-5 per cup.... so i guess i'll just let them go out till king on the CUP..... is cray keep over 100+ unless u got a big tank...

 

[Introvertebrate]

Seriously, if you are worry about it and don't want to pack/ship mantis, keep only species that you can release.

The tropical species seem more interesting and they're such aggressive eaters.

 

[CoolMantid]

I think that's what I'm ganna have to do ... not sure how this happened I had 120-150 Chinese hatch out ... this is the 3rd week ,..... I still have more then 100+ left.... and I have over 30+ 24oz and 32oz cup with them in it .... I'm trying to keep them all alive and happy but is way too much work takes more then 1 hr just to feed them...... i have 3-5 per cup.... so i guess i'll just let them go out till king on the CUP..... is cray keep over 100+ unless u got a big tank...

They will cannibalize until there is one left then you might want to lower the amount again- Place the remainder "King of the cup champians" in new cups with 3-5 nymphs in a cup. Once they cannibalize until there is one left standing (in each cup) keep those. Its a perfect amount!

 

[ismart]

The tropical species seem more interesting and they're such aggressive eaters.

Yes, tropical species might seem more interesting. Temperate species are aggressive eaters too!

 

[ismart]

They will cannibalize until there is one left then you might want to lower the amount again- Place the remainder "King of the cup champians" in new cups with 3-5 nymphs in a cup. Once they cannibalize until there is one left standing (in each cup) keep those. Its a perfect amount!

L3 would be a good time to separate the males from the females, or you will end up with all females.

 

[Ntsees]

I do what some have already said - cannabalism. Strangely enough, the ones that cannabalized molted earlier than the ones that just ate fruit flies (not enough fruitflies to go around for so many nymphs). I guess by eating a food item as large as itself, it gained the nutrients to start preparing for the next molt.

 

[SilentDeviL]

L3 would be a good time to separate the males from the females, or you will end up with all females.

they are only 1 inch long .. how can u tell sex ??? lol I might need glass to see that ..

 

[ismart]

they are only 1 inch long .. how can u tell sex ??? lol I might need glass to see that ..

It can be difficult at times, but if you really have a hard time counting segments, or just looking at the last few. A magnifying glass will come in handy.

 

[SilentDeviL]

It can be difficult at times, but if you really have a hard time counting segments, or just looking at the last few. A magnifying glass will come in handy.

Thank for the tip Ismart

 

[angelofdeathzz]

Males are the ones with five-o-clock shadow :euro:

But really, the males should appear thinner and long, the females will be fatter and bigger as a rule. a magnifying glass is great if you can get them to hold still long enough.

 

[Introvertebrate]

Yes, tropical species might seem more interesting. Temperate species are aggressive eaters too!

Well then, Chinese Mantis it is.

 

[SilentDeviL]

Males are the ones with five-o-clock shadow :euro:

But really, the males should appear thinner and long, the females will be fatter and bigger as a rule. a magnifying glass is great if you can get them to hold still long enough.

they all look the same @@". is only L3... can't see much different ..

 

[meaganelise9]

Or you can send it to me

Seriously, if you are worry about it and don't want to pack/ship mantis, keep only species that you can release.

Agreed. Or if you don't want hundreds, find a species that has small ooths. Some have very small hatches. My only ooth that will bear a lot is religiosa, which have been found nearby, so if I get overwhelmed, I know some good spots where they could thrive.