Tenodera sinensis produced an ootheca? Need some help!

[HexLazarus]

Hello! So, this wasn't entirely unexpected when I took in this mantis, considering this is precisely the time of year I would have expected a wild mantis to have already mated and I suspected she was female, but I wasn't really expecting her to produce the ootheca this morning! So my question is this: Is there a way I can estimate about how many deli cups I need to buy so I can be ready? I can't responsibly release these, they aren't native to my area (also I plan to keep at least one). I have plans about what I may be able to do with them all, but I'm mostly worried about having enough cups. Thanks in advance, any help and advice is appreciated!

 

[Katya]

Hello

While I haven't raised a mantis egg sac, I know some basics. One ootheca can have anywhere from 100-200 babies. In the wild, the majority of those don't survive. Even in captivity, I believe many don't hatch or don't survive their siblings :/ So, it's pretty hard to determine how many cups you'll need, but I would start at fifty or more. The nymphs eat pretty soon after hatching, and fruit flies should be good for them for a while. Good luck!