need info, mantis died/layed egg case

[nguyen_inc]

Well, my wc mantis died today one day after she layed her egg case. I had her for about 2 to 3 months, could she store sperm or is the egg case infertile? Lastly, a good cold period should be about two months right? I will edit a pic of it

http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/3773egg_case.jpg

[dave68]

Every mantis i've ever caught ate like a pig for a couple months laid an egg case and died. Must just be the nature of the beasty! A couple months cold would probably do it for the eggs, but probably have to be quite cold. Anyways good luck and be sure to post pics if you get any babies!

Dave

[Removed_2815]

Originally posted by nguyen_inc
could she store sperm or is the egg case infertile?
Aren't mantes parthenogenetic?

[nguyen_inc]

Parthenogenetic, ok. I didn't know that... Well thanks im going to put the eggs in the freezer...too cold? I was thinking of taking the eggs out and place them in the snow when snow falls, so they get a natural cold state.

[Removed_2815]

I'm not sure if they all are, I was kind of asking as well (for someone who knows for sure).
But I was under the impression that at least some mantes exhibit parthenogenesis. I believe, also, that they are heterogamous and can alter between sexual reproduction and parthenogenesis in the absence of a male.
Anyone know for sure?
Regards,
Ryan M Bolton

[reptile boi]

nguyen dont put them in the freezer, they will probably die. I have found that keeping them in the fridge for a few months is good enough.




Thanks,
Ben

[jaracas]

a couple of species of mantid are parthenogenic, unfortunately not the sp. in Canada.
Also, unfortunately, no they cannot change sex as their bodies are quite dimorphic ie. they male has more abdomen segments than a female so would have to change quite radically to become another sex (males have 7 segments from birth and females 6).

fridge for 6-8 weeks should do it.

strange that their nearest relative is a roach aint it? :D

[BrianS]

The ooth in the pic is of a Chinese Mantid. I raised several this year. I have several ooths now.

[nguyen_inc]

the egg case has been in the frige for a month now, I think ima give it acouple weeks more. Should I just leave the egg case out in a rubbermaid or something? Is it normal for it to be a brown color and feel like foam?

[BrianS]

Originally posted by nguyen_inc
the egg case has been in the frige for a month now, I think ima give it acouple weeks more. Should I just leave the egg case out in a rubbermaid or something? Is it normal for it to be a brown color and feel like foam?

You can take it out whenever you are ready for it to hatch. I have sold several in the past few weeks and they have already hatched out. You will want to attach the eggs to the side or to the top of whatever container you are using. Yes the brown look and foam texture is normal.;)

Be sure you have access to plenty of pinhead crickets,fruit flies etc. because you will soon have them running all over the place lol:eek:

Good Luck:cool:

[nguyen_inc]

how long will it take untill I see little mantises?

[BrianS]

It will only take a few weeks. So have plenty of deli cups,vials and pinhead crickets and/fruit flies ready lol.

[DeadlyDose]

wow talk about fun parenting