i just got a preying mantis egg case from a local farmers market and i have it in a container, i know i'm gonna release like all of them exept four maybe and i wanna some info on caring for babies, anybody have any experience?
preying mantises
- Thread starter kuhliloach
- Start date
Ho cool!! I want one! I hear there neat and good for the yard. I will go look for some info ok, be right back!
ok, here you go/
Species : There are numerous (over 2000 and counting) species of mantids. Several of these are available within the insect hobby, such as the African Praying Mantis species (actually more than one species - Sphodromantis belachowski, centralis, gastrica, vidiris and lineola ), which are suitable for beginners.
Size: Mantids range from less than an inch up to 6 or more inches in length, depending on the species and sex. However, the most commonly kept pet species of praying mantis are in the range of 2-3 inches or so.
Expected Life Span of a Praying Mantis: The expected life span of a praying mantis depends on the species, but tmaximum is about a year for the entire life cycle. However, most will only live as adults for about 6 months (less for some species of praying mantis).
Characteristics: Mantids come in a huge range of sizes, shapes and colors. Some look like twigs (and use this as camoflage), some resemble crumpled dead leaves, and others have brightly colored and delicate features that make them look like blossoms. They also come from a variety of climates (mostly tropical). However, all mantids are carnivores, feeding mainly on other insects and spiders (some of the larger mantids may even eat small amphibians and reptiles).
Housing a Praying Mantis: Mantids should be housed individually. However, a praying mantis needs only a small tank -- generally a tank should be at least twice as wide and three times as tall as the mantid, but not much larger than that. If the tank is too large the mantid will have a hard time finding its prey. One foot cubed is a good size for most praying mantises. The height of the tank is important to provide space for molting. A mesh top is preferred, and mesh openings on th side are good if possible.
Substrate and Furnishings: A substrate of an inch or two of soil, peat, peat or soil mixed with sand, or vermiculite can be used in the bottom of the tank for a pet praying mantis. This will help retain moisture. Several twigs should be provided and should reach almost to the top of the tank as the mantid will need space to hang from a twig for molting. Live potted plants or artifical plants can be used too, but make sure not to overcrowd the tank. Your praying mantis will need space to move about, hunt, and molt.
Temperature : This is one of the most important aspect of husbandry and one that can vary with different species. Some species are tolerant of variations but some have very specific needs, so check your species! The commonly kept African praying mantis (the species listed above) should be kept at 70-86 F (21-30 C). If additional heat is necessary a small undertank heating mat can be used (as sold for reptiles and hermit crabs). For species caresheets try DeShawn's Mantid Kingdom.
Humidity and Water: The required humidity also varies by praying mantis species (e.g. the African mantis requires 60% humidity). Regular light misting of the will help provide humidity. A small shallow water dish containing pebbles or a piece of sea sponge to prevent drowning can also be provided and will provide a humidity boost. Most mantids will get their water intake by drinking water droplets off vegetation provided by misting (some may use the water dish). Be careful the humidity does not get too high.
Feeding a Praying Mantis: A variety of feeder insects should be provided for your praying mantis. The best way to make sure nutritional needs are met is to feed a number of different kinds of prey (fruit flies and aphids for nymphs, instars and smaller mantids, and a variety of flying insects such as moths, fruit flies, and house flies along with an occasional cricket or mealworm for larger ones). Make sure the prey has been gut loaded (feed a vitamin enriched food to the prey, which will be passed on to the mantis).
ok, here you go/
Species : There are numerous (over 2000 and counting) species of mantids. Several of these are available within the insect hobby, such as the African Praying Mantis species (actually more than one species - Sphodromantis belachowski, centralis, gastrica, vidiris and lineola ), which are suitable for beginners.
Size: Mantids range from less than an inch up to 6 or more inches in length, depending on the species and sex. However, the most commonly kept pet species of praying mantis are in the range of 2-3 inches or so.
Expected Life Span of a Praying Mantis: The expected life span of a praying mantis depends on the species, but tmaximum is about a year for the entire life cycle. However, most will only live as adults for about 6 months (less for some species of praying mantis).
Characteristics: Mantids come in a huge range of sizes, shapes and colors. Some look like twigs (and use this as camoflage), some resemble crumpled dead leaves, and others have brightly colored and delicate features that make them look like blossoms. They also come from a variety of climates (mostly tropical). However, all mantids are carnivores, feeding mainly on other insects and spiders (some of the larger mantids may even eat small amphibians and reptiles).
Housing a Praying Mantis: Mantids should be housed individually. However, a praying mantis needs only a small tank -- generally a tank should be at least twice as wide and three times as tall as the mantid, but not much larger than that. If the tank is too large the mantid will have a hard time finding its prey. One foot cubed is a good size for most praying mantises. The height of the tank is important to provide space for molting. A mesh top is preferred, and mesh openings on th side are good if possible.
Substrate and Furnishings: A substrate of an inch or two of soil, peat, peat or soil mixed with sand, or vermiculite can be used in the bottom of the tank for a pet praying mantis. This will help retain moisture. Several twigs should be provided and should reach almost to the top of the tank as the mantid will need space to hang from a twig for molting. Live potted plants or artifical plants can be used too, but make sure not to overcrowd the tank. Your praying mantis will need space to move about, hunt, and molt.
Temperature : This is one of the most important aspect of husbandry and one that can vary with different species. Some species are tolerant of variations but some have very specific needs, so check your species! The commonly kept African praying mantis (the species listed above) should be kept at 70-86 F (21-30 C). If additional heat is necessary a small undertank heating mat can be used (as sold for reptiles and hermit crabs). For species caresheets try DeShawn's Mantid Kingdom.
Humidity and Water: The required humidity also varies by praying mantis species (e.g. the African mantis requires 60% humidity). Regular light misting of the will help provide humidity. A small shallow water dish containing pebbles or a piece of sea sponge to prevent drowning can also be provided and will provide a humidity boost. Most mantids will get their water intake by drinking water droplets off vegetation provided by misting (some may use the water dish). Be careful the humidity does not get too high.
Feeding a Praying Mantis: A variety of feeder insects should be provided for your praying mantis. The best way to make sure nutritional needs are met is to feed a number of different kinds of prey (fruit flies and aphids for nymphs, instars and smaller mantids, and a variety of flying insects such as moths, fruit flies, and house flies along with an occasional cricket or mealworm for larger ones). Make sure the prey has been gut loaded (feed a vitamin enriched food to the prey, which will be passed on to the mantis).
How about just catching insects from outside your house....all are free...or go out to the country and catch a whole bunch.....don't know how they could eat fruit flies....so small, and ya can catch grass hoppers and moths and all that good stuff that and then you can shove a vitamin in the bigger bodies of the prey....and all freeeeeee
...fly strips for the flies....
...fly strips for the flies....
maybe try checking w/ the biology depts. of local high schools or colleges, they usually use fruit flies in genetics experiments....they might be able to point you in the right direction
my experiance:
when i was about 8, i brouhgt home this "sack" thingy... (i didnt know it was praying mantis eggs untill.....)
anyway, i came home, and left it on the table
the next morning, i heard a scream... my mom was screaming at 100+ babies!! lol
anyway, you could prob. catch fruit flies by putting a cut up peach on your yard... it worked for me
when i was about 8, i brouhgt home this "sack" thingy... (i didnt know it was praying mantis eggs untill.....)
anyway, i came home, and left it on the table
the next morning, i heard a scream... my mom was screaming at 100+ babies!! lol
anyway, you could prob. catch fruit flies by putting a cut up peach on your yard... it worked for me
Cultivating your own...
I also have Poisonous Dart Frogs (PDF)...they too, must have small insects such as pinhead crickets & fruitflies etc. Many stores deal with the "pinhead crickets" (especially reptile suppliers but Petsmart etc.often has the smaller crickets (not the fruit flies though).
Here's a link on the cultivation of some small insects that would be appropriate for the PM:
http://www.understoryenterprises.com/content/blogsection/4/7/
Do keep in mind, the PM can reach a decent size & will eat larger prey eventually.
F.Y.I: If you are obtaining food from your "backyard or local area"....BEWARE OF PESTICIDES and other residules like fertilizers etc.
Good Luck!
CQ
I also have Poisonous Dart Frogs (PDF)...they too, must have small insects such as pinhead crickets & fruitflies etc. Many stores deal with the "pinhead crickets" (especially reptile suppliers but Petsmart etc.often has the smaller crickets (not the fruit flies though).
Here's a link on the cultivation of some small insects that would be appropriate for the PM:
http://www.understoryenterprises.com/content/blogsection/4/7/
Do keep in mind, the PM can reach a decent size & will eat larger prey eventually.
F.Y.I: If you are obtaining food from your "backyard or local area"....BEWARE OF PESTICIDES and other residules like fertilizers etc.
Good Luck!
CQ
Take an apple, cut it pieces, and put the pieces all over your yard for a day or so and you will get a bunch of little bugs.