Yay! My first O. distinctus ooth hatched :)

[Mantida]

The ooths I recieved from drizzt (@ Poland). One of them hatched today, bearing five little Oxypilus.

They are so tiny... I didn't expect them to be that small. I will have to get some d. melanogaster now, or some teeny leafhoppers outside... has anyone successfully fed them d. hydei at L1?

I know, bad pictures. I couldn't take any good ones since they wouldn't stop running around! :blink:

 

[macro junkie]

my jade mantis was that small when i 1st got it..how abour some fruit flys for it.?

 

[Mantida]

my jade mantis was that small when i 1st got it..how abour some fruit flys for it.?

d. melanogaster and d. hydei are the scientific names for fruit flies.

Really? At what instar was your jade mantis...?

I never did a size comparison. Here is one of the Oxypilus, compared to my pinkie finger.

 

[Sparky]

AAAHHH the monster finger is attacking it!

 

[asdsdf]

Run little guy! Run!

 

[Mantida]

Run little guy! Run!

Oh, I'm sure he'll be able to do that for many miles judging by all the energy he has. :blink:

 

[Andrew]

They probably won't be able to take on hydei...melanogaster is your best bet. A couple of mine are L5 now, and I've just moved them up to hydei.

Probably would've switched them at L3/4, but I didn't have any at the time.

 

[asdsdf]

Oh, I'm sure he'll be able to do that for many miles judging by all the energy he has. :blink:

I know, mine try to run away at every possible moment. Open the lid, and immediately, all of them are on the edge, getting ready to jump. Once I put one back, it goes right up again. Pretty cute/annoying.

 

[Mantida]

They probably won't be able to take on hydei...melanogaster is your best bet. A couple of mine are L5 now, and I've just moved them up to hydei.Probably would've switched them at L3/4, but I didn't have any at the time.

Oof. L4 at d. hydei?

I just ordered some stuff from Rebecca too... now I have to order again. Ah well.

 

[asdsdf]

Oof. L4 at d. hydei?I just ordered some stuff from Rebecca too... now I have to order again. Ah well.

Ya, however, I ordered D.Hydei on purpose. My two cultures just died out, and my D.melanogaster did as well, but I manged to save it with the few still alive. Hydei are too slow.

 

[Malnra]

so cute ... cant wait till i have some lil ones to watch skoot about

 

[Kruszakus]

I would not risk it - Hydei is soft, but quite bulky for a fruit fly - try Melanogaster, it's the only safe bet - they can take Hydei at 2nd instar with ease, but freshly hatched nymphs might not be able to.

 

[macro junkie]

d. melanogaster and d. hydei are the scientific names for fruit flies. Really? At what instar was your jade mantis...?

I never did a size comparison. Here is one of the Oxypilus, compared to my pinkie finger.

i take it back..that thing is bloody tiny...good luck.your going to need it..lol..dam thats the smallest mantis iv ever seen!

 

[acerbity]

I've got some acromantis that are about that size, probably L1/2 and they were able to catch hydei. There wasn't a whole lot size difference between the nymph and the fly!

 

[Kruszakus]

Dude, Acromantids are born killers - mine are L3 and take down 9-10 milimeters wax moths just like that - Distinctus were able to do that when they were L5/L6.

 

[Mantida]

Dude, Acromantids are born killers - mine are L3 and take down 9-10 milimeters wax moths just like that - Distinctus were able to do that when they were L5/L6.

Yea, just tried a d. hydei and he ran away from it.

They are so full of energy and so interesting to watch. I love their little boxer movements.

 

[yen_saw]

COngrate!! this species do not eat for the first 2-3 days, they will just run away. But they are able to handle small fruit flies no problem. or try to give them flies from older culture which generally produce smaller flies. Mist them lightly for the first few days. For this species, i only give them flies on the 3rd day, and noticed not every one of them is interested. Keep them warm like 85F. Here are few pics i took before i dropped it out of my list.

 

[Mantida]

Thanks for the advice Yen. Those 2-3 days will allow time for the D. melonagaster to arrive.

Did you have a high mortality/cannibalism rate with these guys?

 

[yen_saw]

Thanks for the advice Yen. Those 2-3 days will allow time for the D. melonagaster to arrive.Did you have a high mortality/cannibalism rate with these guys?

Oh not at all, they are pretty hardy little creature. I didn't notice any cannibalism either and i keep them together (I have about 30-40 nymphs), but if you have only few, it will only take extra few minutes to feed them so worth separating. All the best!