My mantis ootheca has a hole in it.

[sm310]

Looking for some help,
my mantis produced 6 oothecas this past month. Today i noticed that one of the oothecas has a gash along the side. The inside looks a bit dry but this is my first mantis and i dont know if thats normal. Does this mean that the ootheca is dead? Can a ootheca have a gash and still hatch okay?

thanks

 

[Bugs In Cyberspace]

The answer is yes. A photo would be interesting and helpful.

 

[Introvertebrate]

I wonder if anyone's ever tried to cut up a mantis ootheca. I don't need to buy 50 nymphs, but 10 would be nice. I imagine you'd destroy a few eggs in the process.

 

[catfishrod69]

the success rate i have had with mantids, i woud hatch out over 50, and only 1 would live a few weeks.....they were even native, eating well, drinking well, good ventilation and heat...

I wonder if anyone's ever tried to cut up a mantis ootheca. I don't need to buy 50 nymphs, but 10 would be nice. I imagine you'd destroy a few eggs in the process.

 

[Introvertebrate]

Ah. So, I guess it makes sense to hatch a whole ooth.

 

[catfishrod69]

pretty much..they will cannibalize too. so the will be eating, and making your numbers less...

Ah. So, I guess it makes sense to hatch a whole ooth.

 

[hibiscusmile]

The hole in the ooth will not prevent it from hatching, and cutting an ooth will only destroy the eggs closest to the air. As someone posted, they common n. America mantis hatch many but few survive. So let the ooth hatch and you will end up with a good dozen that will survive after a couple weeks. Mist the ooth at least 3 times a week.