Praying Mantis Thread

[Madhouse Pullet]

There are many different species of mantids in the world that have a variety of colors. Chinese mantids are common in the US and can be green or brown. I hope this helps.

Thank you, it does!

 

[Cooptown Lady]

I apologize if this question has already been asked.

Today I found a brown praying mantis near the ceiling of the coop. It's about 5 inches long.

Why would a mantis be in the coop (it's a small 4 x 4 ft coop)? I see all happy talk about mantis's in this thread but I'm wondering if he's after mites or some other unwanted bugs that I hope aren't in there.

Anyway . . . . Always something new happenin' in Cooptown!

 

[Serin]

An adult mantis would be way too large to even see mites, they eat butterflies and bees and grasshoppers - all very big insects, at this life stage. So he is just there by accident I would wager.

 

[Cooptown Lady]

An adult mantis would be way too large to even see mites, they eat butterflies and bees and grasshoppers - all very big insects, at this life stage. So he is just there by accident I would wager.

That makes sense. I appreciate your reply, Serin.

P.S. I'm paranoid about mites.

 

[AGeese]

I get egg cases shipped from Arbico.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I jusr found this thread and had to get in on it. I started bringing mantids in my house a couple years ago every fall. I put them in old beta tanks with mesh over the top and have watches them lay their eggs. It is the coolest thing! I wish I could post the video or that or them eating crickets but I'm not going to do YouTube so you will have to imagine it lol. I put the enclosure outside without disturbing anything after the adults died and still couldn't tell if they hatched.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I did find these photos. Please ignore my dirty floor-she liked to hang out under the bookcase. Second photo is another mantis making her egg sac.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I didn't read this whole thread, but I do love praying mantises! My kids had one named Jeff who lived for YEARS. Started out as a teeny little thing (like, maybe 2 cm long) and ended up as long as my hand.

I miss Jeff.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

We have tan ones each year in our window well. Usually a pair, but occasionally there is a 3rd