38 replies to this topic

[ANTdrew]

Sad update here, but Lief has passed on. I came home to find him lifeless in a corner. He completed his lifespan and lived a good life, I hope.

[rptraut]

My condolences, you did well to keep him so long. Is there one thing that you learned from the experience that we can all benefit from?

[ANTdrew]

Thank you!
Two important things I learned are:
1) Never use metal mesh for mantis enclosures because it can cut their feet.
2) How to easily trap flies with the funnel trap I made out of a water bottle.

[ANTdrew]

Update 6-5-2023

While exploring a meadow on February 8th this year, I found several mantis oothecas on small trees and bushes. I took one home and kept it in a jar under a roof on my patio the rest of the winter. I misted a few times over the winter, but otherwise I just ignored it. Near record heat at the end of last week triggered them to hatch on June 1st. I released most of them in my yard, but I'm keeping several nymphs in small jars to see which will be the best ones to try to keep. I'll narrow it down to one or two. These are really fun pets.

Edited by ANTdrew, June 13 2023 - 2:14 AM.

[Flu1d]

Are these legal to ship to Florida? I want some so bad!!!!

[liamsantics]

yes i would be interested in one

[ANTdrew]

Do the research, and if it's legal, I can sell some. I'm fairly certain these are Stagmomantis carolina.

[liamsantics]

did a tad bit of research and they are native to florida

[liamsantics]

i was wondering your prices and ship time as well if i can get a fruit fly culture with them

[ANTdrew]

I would sell one for $10 plus shipping. Fruit fly culture would be an additional $6.

[Flu1d]

I'm not in a position to get one this moment, ANTdrew, however I MAY be in one fairly soon.

If I am able to, that is a fair price and I will message you.

[liamsantics]

same here

[ANTdrew]

Update 6-13-2023

A majority of the mantis nymphs had their first molt yesterday. That is about 12 days since they hatched. They are all doing well so far.

Edited by ANTdrew, June 13 2023 - 6:54 AM.

[AsdinAnts]

upd?

[GOCAMPONOTUS]

Upd?

[Rrar]

update plssssssssssssss

[ANTdrew]

I’ll put one together tomorrow!

[ANTdrew]

Update 3-20-2023

 

Sorry for the delay in updating this and all my journals, but I basically have no time to write updates anymore for a variety of reasons. In any case, a lot of interesting things happened with my mantises since the last update, so here goes. I ended up keeping five of the Carolina mantis nymphs. Four were males, and one turned out to be a female. It was a lot of work keeping them all fed, but my son and I got pretty skilled at netting and trapping flies over the course of the summer. By late August, all had completed their final molt into adulthood. I then released them into my garden or into the meadow where I had first collected their ootheca. A magical moment happened when we released Stone, our only female. Just a few moments after we let her go, a wild male swooped down next to her. Here are some photos of the mantises, including a few of them enjoying their first moments of freedom as adults. 

[100lols]

Beautiful!!! Hopefully they bred and continued to thrive cheers!

Edited by 100lols, March 25 2024 - 6:41 PM.