mantis help

[ally b]

hi,
ok i have just been thrown in the deep end i like a chanllage but this takes the biscut.
i need some advice on how to hatch out a mantis egg it will be my first time hatching(fingers crossed)
how easy is it to do? and how do i do it?
i`ve been told to wet some paper towel or put it on wet vamiclite with a heat mat(between 23'c 27'c) till they hatch is this ok?

i`am really not 100% with it but i want them to have a good start in life

any help would be great.

thanks.

ally.

 

[mantid]

First of all, do not put the ootheca (egg case) on the ground, especially not where there is excess moisture or it will mold. The ootheca should be hung from an elevated branch. When the mantids hatch they will hang down from the egg case until their exo-skeletons dry. If it is on the ground they cannot do this and they will die. The humidity and temperature needed depend on the species. If you could tell us it would be very helpful. Oh, there will be numerous nymphs from the egg case and you will eventually need a place to keep them all. They will eat each other if they are not a communal species and few are. You will need to feed them fruit flies at first. As they grow you can move up to bigger prey.

 

[Mads]

The method I use is to hang the egg case. Just take a needle and thread and attach the thread to the top part of the egg case. Attach this to the top of whatever container you are using for hatching. A little damp soil, or vermiculite, or whatever you prefer on the bottom for some moisture. And then, just wait, it's really very simple.

 

[mantid]

You might find some more information here:
www.mantidforums.com,
good luck.