When to introduce Platymeris biguttatus nymphs

[MiaPow]

I have multiple adults who regularly produces eggs. I always separate the eggs into their own enclosure and once they hatch I then put them into a nursery enclosure. How soon could I release the nymphs from the nursery into the adult enclosure and avoid cannibalism with the nymphs and adults?

 

[KaroKoenig]

From my experience with Psytalla horrida, I'd say let them molt once, and they are good to go. Cannibalism is a minor problem at best.

I actually stopped picking eggs out of the main enclosure altogether. The babies seem to be able to look after themselves pretty well. At least that's what the steadily rising head count teils me.

 

[chanda]

I don't bother picking the eggs out of my Platymeris enclosures. The nymphs seem to do just fine in with the adults, as long as everyone is well fed, and a range of cricket sizes is offered. The adults don't seem terribly interested in the nymphs. The few times I have noticed cannibalism in the enclosure, it has usually been between bugs of similar size (nymph eating nymph or adult eating adult).

I have cork slabs and rounds in the enclosures for the bugs to climb on, hide in or behind, and hang from to molt. The nymphs tuck themselves into the nooks and crannies of the bark, keeping them protected and hidden.

 

[MiaPow]

I keep the adults on the slightly dryer side and noticed the eggs are a little shriveled so I always go egg hunting and add the eggs to their own enclosure, with a little moisture. So the adults won’t think any of the nymphs are a prey item? I did notice some nymphs cannibalizing each other but wasn’t sure if the adults would hunt the smaller ones.

 

[KaroKoenig]

Have you seen attacks or could it be that you just witnessed a nymph disposing off an already dead fellow?

 

[MiaPow]

No I never witnessed the attacks the close I seen was a fresh kill being consumed but not the attack.

 

[Joey Spijkers]

In my experience with Psytalla horrida, cannibalism is really rare. I’ve only seen it between L1 nymphs, never with bigger individuals. I also don’t bother with picking eggs out, I keep all life stages together successfully.