Will baby mantids survive outside in Feb.?

[hgcsmom]

Help! My egg case hatched one day after I purchased it. (Feb. 3rd hatch date.) I am worried about releasing the babies to the outside world, as there doesn't seem to be much out there for them to eat. Will they be okay? Is there something I can feed them myself? What is your advice? Thanks a bunch!

[kurt]

Well, they do survive outdoors, and have, since the dawn of time ... but I do understand not wishing to send them to a frozen death. I think, if I couldn't release them into the world at large, I'd put them into the largest indoor-"outdoor" area I could - like a garden atrium, greenhouse, etc. I wouldn't think twice about releasing them into my garage - it's warmer there than outdoors, there's always insects in the dustydarkness there, and they can matriculate to the outdoors when they're ready.

If an atrium's not available, and the garage isn't an option, then keep them in the largest habitat possible, and add in fruit flies, sugar ants, pinhead crickets, small worms or any of the smallest critters possible.

Also, it may sound gross, but find some old carpet and vacuum it, put the dust into the habitat, and let the mantids sort out the super tiny carpet mites for a meal. There's critters we don't see all around us!

[doctorentomology]

Depending on where you live, and I'm assuming that you live where it's snowing and cold right now, then you do have two issues: the temperature, and prey. Some of Kurt's suggestions seem like solutions for both issues. My garage is finished, and generally clean (it's next to godliness, you should try it Kurt!) but there are other considerations that we can discuss.
We're in California, and release isn't an issue. Temperatures are above freezing throughout the 24-hour day, and there are always insects for the nymphs to feed on.

Are you in an area where temperatures are below freezing throughout the day as well as at night?

[hgcsmom]

Thank you for all of your good advice. I realized after I posted that I should have mentioned that I live in California (Bakersfield). So, I guess they will be okay outside. I was concerned because although it is not super cold, there didn't seem to be any bugs in my yard for them to eat. I had in mind that they needed aphids, and there aren't any of those around right now - at least not that I can see. I did go to the store last night and bought some "canned crickets". It was fun to watch them go crazy over them. I like the carpet dust idea. Maybe I'll try that too. But first I guess I can release most of them. Thanks again!

[doctorentomology]

Good, good! One thing we can count on in the Central Valley is above-freezing temperatures!

Don't forget that we're just down the road in Shafter! ... and we'd love to have you visit. Our new Bugseum is rockin' and rollin!

Insect Lore's Bugseum in Shafter CA

[hgcsmom]

I have been to the new Bugseum. I actually drove out there last week to get my praying mantis egg case (and a few other items as well.) It was great! I hadn't been out that way in a few years, and I was pleasantly surprised to see the transformation that has taken place.

I am still a little concerned about my baby mantises. I have seven that I didn't release. I have tried feeding them dead crickets (out of the can). They were interested for a day or so, but are no longer eating them (as far as I can tell). I bought some tiny crickets from a pet store here in town, but they aren't eating them either. So far the only thing they have shown any real interest in is fruit flies. (I was able to catch a two in my house..) Do you know where I could get more fruit flies? I really would like to be able to keep a couple of mantises for a while - watch them grow, etc. But I am afraid they are just going to die...

Thanks for you help!

[doctorentomology]

Ants are easy to catch just about any time of the year in California. You know, put out a picnic and see what happens ... ! Sugar ants, the smaller foragers, should feed the smaller mantids well. And they won't bite you as you catch them.

[vb-insectlore]

Here is what a very wise man told me:


"The problem is one of confinement. Praying Mantis (nymphs) take prey smaller than
themselves, of course, and at the same time remain quiet to avoid
being eaten by predators of their own size or larger. When confined
with many of their own siblings, they are constantly being threatened
by the activity in their immediate vicinity from individuals of their
own size. This causes a rapid depletion of their nutrient resources
and, consequently, their early deaths.

It's important to release your mantids very soon after their
emergence. If you wish to keep a few in an attempt to rear them, you
should isolate a few individuals in separate containers and begin the
introduction of small prey for them.

In short, these are solitary predators that do not do well in
confinement with other predators."