Mantis ootheca 'fused' to mesh net

[Crocodylidae]

I thought it was just a bit stuck to it, but it looks like it's fused together in this area. Will it harm the babies if it were to hatch, and how do I fix it/should I try to fix it? It's also a bit stuck to the corner of the terrarium. I was thinking of moving the ootheca, because it's in a large tall terrarium that I don't think would be ideal.

 

[SpookySpooder]

They will be fine, you might damage them while moving them.

 

[NMTs]

If I was going to remove it, I would just cut the mesh around the egg case and then use superglue and/or thread to close the small hole. Might be a bit unsightly, but I think it should still fit the frame and function well enough.

 

[Crocodylidae]

If I was going to remove it, I would just cut the mesh around the egg case and then use superglue and/or thread to close the small hole. Might be a bit unsightly, but I think it should still fit the frame and function well enough.

Good idea. Do you feel that moving it would be a good idea or a bad one? Currently, the ootheca is in a medium/large tall aquarium, and if I were to move it, it'd be into a insect culture cup, which is much smaller but a bit more well closed. I'm still debating whether or not I'll do the ''putting it in the fridge'' part, but if I do it'll be necessary to cut it out

 

[Introvertebrate]

Good idea. Do you feel that moving it would be a good idea or a bad one? Currently, the ootheca is in a medium/large tall aquarium, and if I were to move it, it'd be into a insect culture cup, which is much smaller but a bit more well closed. I'm still debating whether or not I'll do the ''putting it in the fridge'' part, but if I do it'll be necessary to cut it out

At birth, they might be small enough to fit through the holes in the mesh. I'd rehouse them, but they'll probably outgrow a deli cup pretty quickly. Is it a wild caught species that's used to winters? Is that why you want to put it in the fridge? If you've already had it at room temperature for a while, it might be too late. I suspect they'll just start hatching, but you'll have no place to release them, if it's cold out.

 

[Crocodylidae]

At birth, they might be small enough to fit through the holes in the mesh. I'd rehouse them, but they'll probably outgrow a deli cup pretty quickly. Is it a wild caught species that's used to winters? Is that why you want to put it in the fridge? If you've already had it at room temperature for a while, it might be too late. I suspect they'll just start hatching, but you'll have no place to release them, if it's cold out.

I'll try to make a new separate post about it, the winter part and the hatching, because I should have thought about it sooner. :/ Thanks for your reply! I'm not sure how European mantis deal with winter

 

[Introvertebrate]

I'll try to make a new separate post about it, the winter part and the hatching, because I should have thought about it sooner. :/ Thanks for your reply! I'm not sure how European mantis deal with winter

I'm pretty sure the ooth overwinters, and the nymphs hatch in the spring. In your case, they'll probably hatch indoors soon. I couldn't tell you if the mantises will be any worse for wear, however.

 

[FlamingSwampert]

I thought it was just a bit stuck to it, but it looks like it's fused together in this area. Will it harm the babies if it were to hatch, and how do I fix it/should I try to fix it? It's also a bit stuck to the corner of the terrarium. I was thinking of moving the ootheca, because it's in a large tall terrarium that I don't think would be ideal.
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View attachment 460543

I had the same problem. I had to overwinter the ooth, so I was forced to cut the mesh before placing it in a soup deli container for hibernation in the fridge. Your mesh holes seem pretty big, but most mesh enclosures have holes small enough to prevent escape. Good luck with the nymphs!