When I was younger I used to catch hundreds of little mantids this time of year. My friends and I would put them into a 10 gallon fish aquarium and catch all kinds of insects and watch them eat. This is also when I first discovered that mantids are cannibalistic. :twisted: Anyways, yesterday I went out to try and catch some of the native species for the first time in years but I just couldn't find any. When I was little my eyesight must have been better or something. What I'm wondering is if anyone knows what size they'd be in Northwestern PA this time of year. It's been quite warm everyday since mid-May so I know they should be at least hatched. And does anyone know any good techniques for catching them? I remember getting so excited every time I'd find one when I was a kid. I want to relive that and have some mantids to raise.
Wild Caught Mantids
- Thread starter jmac27
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I find very few early in the year. They are just too small. A bit later in the year they will be larger and easier to find. Weedy lots or meadows that contain alot of food insects are good places to find them.
ismart
Well-known member
I live in ny, the wild chinese around here are either L3 or L4 at the moment. I found some a few days ago in the local park.
Whereabouts in PA are you? Friends of mine back home in State College are finding lots of wee Tenodera out, probly L3 at the moment.
I am on research travel for the next month up in MI, and we have L2/L3 Tenodera and I found one small M. religiosa this morning, probably L2. The Tenodera are all over the lilacs in front of our office.
I am on research travel for the next month up in MI, and we have L2/L3 Tenodera and I found one small M. religiosa this morning, probably L2. The Tenodera are all over the lilacs in front of our office.
