Breeding praying mantis

[jaredg87]

I am looking into starting a mantis breeding project. I was curious what is a good Mantis to start with. Iv'e read some breeds don't need to breed to reproduce and others do. Any links or anything to get me head in the right direction i'd REALLY appreciate it! PM me or just post a reply thanks so much

Jared

 

[maxttu]

Don't. Do. It. Just kidding. I haven't had too much success with raising these things. They take lots of time, separate enclosures (cannibalistic), food and patience! There are members who thrive at raising them, I'm just not one of them. Good luck!

 

[Txherp]

I've bred a few that were easy. Budwing (Parashendale arigonna) is one good one, they get huge and produce LOTS of babies. Also, Popa spura are easy and they aren't as cannibalistic as some of the others. Oh yeah the chinese mantis and carolina mantis are also good choices. http://www.mantispets.com/mantids-for-sale.html

 

[pigglett79]

Good luck. I hope you figure out an economical way to raise them. I have Egyptians and they eat so many flys and crickets its ridiculous. They eat each other like crazy even when well fed. And weeks later you finally have some left that are large enough to feed off. I obviously am not a fan. They are pretty damn cool to watch though. Haha.

 

[SSimsswiSS]

Wishing you luck with your mantis breeding project.

 

[maxttu]

Wishing you luck with your mantis breeding project.

Most excellent shot!

 

[Djturna4thakidz]

Are mantids safe for all chameleons? I have a 6mo old male panther, would he be able to eat one of those bugs? Could they hurt the chameleon? they just look mean lol

 

[SarahcoadunatioZac]

Well, Mantids can't hurt humans. I just wouldn't leave them in there unsupervised.

Also, all Mantids require a male and female. You may be thinking Indian Walking Sticks, who don't mate.

Walking sticks are much easier I hear, but Mantids will eat about as much as your chameleon, so not a very efficient feeder.

 

[SSimsswiSS]

Well, Mantids can't hurt humans. I just wouldn't leave them in there unsupervised.

Also, all Mantids require a male and female. You may be thinking Indian Walking Sticks, who don't mate.

Walking sticks are much easier I hear, but Mantids will eat about as much as your chameleon, so not a very efficient feeder.

There are a few A sexual mantids out there, that reproduce when no male is present.. And a couple that only produce sisters. So no male required.

 

[Mmcbain1]

I have heard stories of mantids eating out chameleon eyes! Ive never had a problem and I am not sure if it is true but they are a very aggresive insect.

 

[SarahcoadunatioZac]

There are a few A sexual mantids out there, that reproduce when no male is present.. And a couple that only produce sisters. So no male required.

Really? I've never heard of one. Thats good to know, I'd go for those personally as its easier to breed.

Though I did have a friend who used to breed Mantids for his beardie, he'd sell off the excess to local neighbors as natural pesticide. So you may want to get those you can release in your state if thats something you'd want to look into.

 

[Montium]

Well, Mantids can't hurt humans. I just wouldn't leave them in there unsupervised.

Also, all Mantids require a male and female. You may be thinking Indian Walking Sticks, who don't mate.

Walking sticks are much easier I hear, but Mantids will eat about as much as your chameleon, so not a very efficient feeder.

Let a large one bite you and then say that lol

 

[SSimsswiSS]

I have heard stories of mantids eating out chameleon eyes! Ive never had a problem and I am not sure if it is true but they are a very aggresive insect.

I'm not sure how a mantis even gets close enough to eat a eye. Mantis seem to dissapear in 3' radius around chameleons.

 

[pssh]

Unless you enjoy mantids in general, dont start a feeder project. It's not worthwhile at all (again, unless you enjoy them as pets as well.) Obviously a communal species would be easier to start with since there would be far less cannibalism, but communal species can be expensive and are much cooler as just pets!

 

[patrickfraser]

My chameleons only get the mismolts and unsalvageable mantids in my collection. I'm a mantis freak. It is a lot of work to get them to a substantial size to feed. For baby chameleons I could understand hatching an ooth for the nymphs, as they are bite size from the get go. There is a lot of time and care before it's a proper meal for an adult chameleon. So mine get them as treats when available. They really love 'em, too.

 

[SarahcoadunatioZac]

Let a large one bite you and then say that lol

I have, I am also a Mantid freak. They can't hurt you, rather if they do, then its your fault.