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 #1738461


Syrus
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 Help, MANTIDS!

ok, maybe this isn’t as urgent as the title suggests, but its got me alittle freaked out. I was given a mantid egg case from a teacher as a thank you, and she left me saying that they shouldn’t hatch for another 2 weeks. Well, this morning(I got the egg case 2 days ago) they hatched! The top of the jar(large pickle jar) is covered by nylon right now, which is think is what she said to do. I bought fruit flies and put some in their. So far it looks like they are more afraid of the flies then hungry, and when i open the jar, a bunch try to escape while i struggle to stretch the panty hose back over it. How would everyone else recommend on keeping these guys?
05/17/08  06:22pm

 #1743901


John_jb
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   Message To: Syrus   In reference to Message Id: 1738461


 Help, MANTIDS!

Well first I’d need to know what species they are. Also it’s normal for most of them to die. I had an egg hatch and within a couple of weeks i had 30 left out of around 200 that hatched. But it all depends on the species, some take to stress easier then others.

Now this is important, you need to put them into a bigger container, like a cricket keeper, but put netting in between the lid and the top of the container, that way none can escape through the gaps in the lid. It’s important you do that ASAP, as crowding can cause allot of stress.

Depending on the species you will also need to separate them into individual containers, i buy loads of little party cups because they’re cheap and small, then i buy loads of elastic bands, i put netting around the tops of the cups and secure the netting with the elastic bands. This will take hours, if not a whole day. It’s best to get help from friends.

My advice would be to get see-through ones, as they tend to die easily and quickly, so if you have a see-through container then you can spot the dead ones and remove them.

But that’s my method of doing it, some people tend to keep them together and wait till about 10 are left alive and then separate them, this is an OK method, but if you want loads, it’s best to go with my method. The reason for wanting loads is because i sell them, if you want to sell yours, sell them after their second shed.

The reason for them dying in the hundreds is because it separate the weak from the strong, the strong will live and the weak will die.
Feed them fruit flies every 2-3 days, and mist them with water daily.

Thanks
-John-

p/s
good luck!!
05/23/08  05:59am

 #1744683


Syrus
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   Message To: John_jb   In reference to Message Id: 1743901


 Help, MANTIDS!

Thanks for the reply, and to tell you the truth i have no idea what breed of mantids they are. A friend who knows nothing about them just gave me an egg case.
What kind of netting should i use for the tops?
05/24/08  01:10am

 #1746066


John_jb
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   Message To: Syrus   In reference to Message Id: 1744683


 Help, MANTIDS!

Any chance of a pic of the nymphs? I could probably tell you what species it is, then I’d be able to give better help.

For netting, use really really fine stuff, the finer the better.

-John-
05/25/08  04:24pm


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