Wild Mantis religiosa Nymph FOUND!!! :)

[ScienceGirl]

I found a Mantis Religiosa nymph in my backyard a couple minutes ago. It is a bit longer than 1". Any guesses as to instar? It's so small, the black dots in the eyes are iincredibly hard to make out, even up close. Though a bit skittish, the little guy is running about on my arm.

I made a fruit fly lure of brown banana peels and mashed fresh blueberries and banana in a plastic grocery sack. When the flies go inside, the top can be gathered up, and a big food and breeding source is instantly ours.

I may possibly release it, but until then, I have a mantis!!!

 

[hierodula]

Congratz!!!!!

 

[minomantis]

I'm so happy for you! Congrats! You should raise it! It'll grow nice and fast with your care!

 

[ScienceGirl]

Thank you, guys!

I've never kept the nymphs of this species in captivity. . . Any advice? (Misting, how often to feed, etc.)

 

[minomantis]

I haven't either, but I would treat them like Chinese mantis nymphs even though they don't get as big. Congrats again!

 

[sally]

Yay, now you can raise your new nymph! Def post some pics. If it is a female, you can bring her outside in a net cage(when she is calling) and get a male too. I am going to try that with my T. sinensis girls

 

[ScienceGirl]

I counted 6 segments. Unless it's too early to tell, I've got one pretty girl.

She (tentatively "she") ate two small flies, roughly 1 cm long, last night. I misted her this morning and offered another fly.