will a constant diet affect whether a mantis lays ooths or not?

[mantidian]

hi

well, I feed my budwing females mainly on mealworms, when lucky flying insects or cockroaches.

one is 14 days old (don't really need to worry) and the other is 26 days old and both have mated.

the problem is the older female has yet to lay any ooth/s.( not saying that the younger one has laid an ooth)

and I'm worried.

does a constant diet of mealworms determind whether the mantids will lay any ooths?

cheers

jonjoe

 

[ismart]

I cant see constant meal worm feedings affecting when an ooth will be laid. You should give your mantids more of a variety of food though. They will lay when there ready.

 

[mantidian]

I cant see constant meal worm feedings affecting when an ooth will be laid. You should give your mantids more of a variety of food though. They will lay when there ready.

Okay thanks!

 

[Rick]

They will lay no matter what. However, it is believed by me and others that a varied, healthy diet will produce more and bigger ooths. I suggest you feed something else other than mealworms. Mealworms are not very nutritious.

 

[OGIGA]

I used mealworms as a backup. They are easily available when I don't have flies. Like everybody is saying, give the mantis more variety. I don't think mealworms by themselves have enough nutrients that mantises need.