Giant devil flower mantis log

(6-16-2007)
Received two idolomantis oothecae traded from Germany. I can only hope they hatched out soon. It should be by the end of this month
if it hatched at all.

(9-15-2007)
Obviously the ooth from Germany didn't hatch, it was disappointed and i thought this could be my last chance rearing this wonderful
species. However, i had a second chance when i managed to trade oothecae of this species from UK. The hatchling actually hatched
during shipment!! However, a good number still survived so hopefully i will rear some to adulthood.

(9-18-2007)
I have heard from many idolomantis breeders that first moult and the last moult appear to be the "most difficult" time for them, so i was
worry they don't moult out alright. Today, the very first hatchling moulted into 2nd instar!! the color turn dramatically from jet black to light
green. I hope the rest will moult out alright. Right now i am feeding them honey gut-load house flies and they are taking them alright
but the flies are not consumed at a faster rate recently, which indicate that some will moult soon. I will offer some for sale coming next
week.

(9-21-2007)
About 80% of the idolomantis have moulted, seems like keeping them at high temp. 95F and 60% humidity, lightly spray right after
switching off the heat lamp works. So far, i only witnessed one nymph missing one leg and another mismoulting case(see pic below),
it was half way moulting and the raptorial arms were stucked in the old shed, so i have to manually pull it out, but obviously it didn't
work so well. Well, since this is THE idolomantis, i have to try my best and rescue this unfortunate one, and glad to see the mantis
feeding too! (see pic)

(9-27-2007)
About 1/3 of my idolomantis moulted into third instar today. no casualty so far, phew.....

Also, i received some larger idolomantis nymphs traded from Germany yesterday. There was one mis-moulted unfortunately, but i
have 5 large one to work with. They are just wonderful to see.

(9-29-2007)
Most nymphs have turning into third instar. I am continue to keep the same condition for them. So far so good, finger crossed.
However, the larger nymphs from Germany appear to prefer a slightly lower temperature as they are staying away from the direct heat
lamp, as opposed tot he smaller nymphs which i think needed more heat for faster metabolism.

(10-4-2007)
Another week come and go, and there goes another moult for the idolomantis, it is amazing how fast frequent they can moult under hot
condition (90-95F) and plenty of food. Another batch of idolomantis from Germany is moulting too but at a slower rate, well this
Germany batch is larger anyway. I recently bought a large net cage to prepare myself for the breeding of this species. It is 72"x24"x24". I
also have another half this size at 36"x24"x24".

(10-14-2007)
These little devils are growing up fast. With the constant heat and food, they are now on their 5th instar

(10-21-2007) I am still keeping them hot and mist once at the end of the day, it is still working magic for me. I have sold more than
half of the surviving nymphs from those that hatched during shipment but i am keeping at least about 27 nymphs for myself. So
far they all went through moulting without any issue. The batch from Germany is only 2 moults away from adult, the surviving 5 of
them are doing great too.