Ootheca hatching...yay!
Mantis hatching is always a wonderful experience, whether the ootheca is wild collected or captive bred. For wild collected ootheca to
hatch, it is like a bonus from a field trip which carries hope for future generation. For captive bred ootheca to hatch, that represents all
the hard work and effort in rearing/breeding is paying off. In the past 5 years, I have witnessed numerous hatching of mantis species,
most of the time it happened in the morning. As I have to work in the morning, the only time I can see plenty of grub-like nymphs
bursting out from an ootheca is during weekend. Few examples of the mantis species that prefer to hatch out in the morning are ghost
mantis (P. paradoxa), orchid mantis (H. coronatus), spiny flower mantis (p. wahlbergii), giant devil flower mantis (I. diabolica) etc.
P. paradoxa ootheca hatching
H. coronatus ootheca hatching
I. diabolica ootheca hatching
P. wahlbergii ootheca hatching
Well that doesn’t mean some oothecae do not hatch during mid-day. The one species that always done this is Indian boxer mantis (H.
brunneriana).
Some oothecae takes a long time before hatching, which usually relates to overwintering found in cold region, such as Chinese
mantis (T. sinesis), Carolina mantis (S. carolina) and European mantis (Mantis religiosa).
H. brunneriana ootheca hatching
T.sinesis hatchling
Some mantis from southern states also take a long time to hatch, although a cool (not cold) period appear to induce this hatching
pattern. Namely Arizona horn mantis (Yersiniops spp.) and ground mantis (Litaneutria spp.). 5-6 months incubating period is very
common although the weather is not particularly cold in the southern region during winter.
Y. sophronica hatchling
L.minor hatchling
However, some ootheca do not take very long to hatch (2-3 weeks are considered short incubating period for mantis species). Grass
mantis (Thesprotia graminis) and ant mantis (Odontomantis spp. ) are popular species to hatch during shipment (ha!). The Empusa
mantis also has the similar fast hatching pattern (as little as 2 weeks).
T.graminis hatching
While most oothecae have ‘bursting’ type hatching pattern (especially the tropical species), some takes a week or two to hatch out
completely. There is also one species of mantis which reproduce via parthenogenesis. A stick/grass mimic mantis that can be found
in south-eastern of the USA, or Brunneria borealis. The ootheca from this species takes as long as typical stick/leaf insects to hatch,
but continue to hatch out over a long period of 3-5 months.
B. borealis hatchling
There are so many fascinating facts about praying mantis, and ootheca hatching is just one of the many ‘attractive’ features from this
wonderful insects. So what are you waiting for? Keep one as pet today :)
HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR AND VALENTINE'S DAY
