Why No Connection!?!?!!?

[Sarah K]

This has happened on numerous occasions:

I have had 3 different males that have mounted 3 females numerous times, and still no connection that I've witnessed. WHY!?!? It is driving me nuts that I cannot figure this out! I have 20 ooths that my females first began laying in April, and not a single one has hatched. Am I doing something wrong?

 

[hibiscusmile]

It may not be hot enough for them, but always raise or lower heat slowly over period of days.

 

[Sarah K]

It may not be hot enough for them, but always raise or lower heat slowly over period of days.

Well, the room they are in stays at 80 to 90 degrees F during the summer, and one enclosure has a reptile heat emitter in addition, that stays on all day and all night. The other enclosures have heat lamps with 40 watt bulbs in them that stay on all day, and turn off at night. 

 

[Krissim Klaw]

From the photo he seems to be trying. Are the males hearty eaters by any chance?

 

[Sarah K]

From the photo he seems to be trying. Are the males hearty eaters by any chance?

Yeah, I see everyone else try too, but they never seem to connect! I thought maybe one of mine just didn't know what they were supposed to do, but all 3! I either have bad luck, or something else is wrong. I wouldn't say the males are "hearty" eaters. They probably eat about 2 or 3 blue bottle flies a day, unless the females snatch up the males portion before he does. 

 

[Krissim Klaw]

Yeah, I see everyone else try too, but they never seem to connect! I thought maybe one of mine just didn't know what they were supposed to do, but all 3! I either have bad luck, or something else is wrong. I wouldn't say the males are "hearty" eaters. They probably eat about 2 or 3 blue bottle flies a day, unless the females snatch up the males portion before he does. 

I would actually consider that hearty for a male mantis. Some males (seems to vary some by species) tend to overindulge if food is offered daily and it can make it hard for them to twist their abdomen and make a successful connection.) I would suggest removing them from the enclosure for a couple days and putting them in another room so they can cleans themselves of the females' pheromones. I would also fast them for 2-3 days before putting them back to see if having a less full gut helps them connect.

 

[Sarah K]

I would actually consider that hearty for a male mantis. Some males (seems to vary some by species) tend to overindulge if food is offered daily and it can make it hard for them to twist their abdomen and make a successful connection.) I would suggest removing them from the enclosure for a couple days and putting them in another room so they can cleans themselves of the females' pheromones. I would also fast them for 2-3 days before putting them back to see if having a less full gut helps them connect.

Wow! I never would have imagined that would be too much food for a male violin. I will definitely try it, thanks!

 

[Savechanges]

I have my enclosure at 95 degrees and they breed by themselves

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