Ian Batten

[Mikevamp]

Hey Ian,

I had got the Oothecae! Thanks :)
However, it is quite amazing to see that actually the Oothecae is so small... as this is the first time i had them...

So what do i do to make it hatch?
1. I had just leave it in a small tank with nothing else inside.
2. My room temperature is ranged from 24 degree to 28 degree.

Please advise.

Thanks & Regards,
Mikevamp

[imported_imported_admin_old]

Hi Mikevamp,
Great to hear they have arrived, good job we waited the extra few days! Well, I would say they were an average size, however much smaller than sphodromantis, and most hierodula. For best hatching results, I would sew on a piece of cotton to the top of the ooth, so you will destroy none of the eggs or inner foam. Hang the ooth at least 10cm above the bottom of the tank. This way, it gives the nymphs space for hacthing, as when they emerge, they hang down on small, silk like threads. I spray them once a wekk, and keep them at around 25c, or hotter to spedd up the hatching. Keep me informed on your results,
Many Thanks,
Ian

[Mikevamp]

Hmmm... how do i know which is the top or bottom of the ooth?

[imported_imported_admin_old]

Well, if you look at the front of the ooths, where the are horitontal lines goin accross the fron the the ooth, hang it up so they are facing down, as they do form at a slant, so you will be able to tell if they are slanting upwards or downwards. If not, it shouldn't mater too much if they are upside down, just may slow down emergence.
Cheers,
Ian

[Mikevamp]

:) Hahahahahahahaha :)
The Oothcae has hatched.... there are more than 50 babies with me now, didnt really go and count them but at least 50~60 of them!

Now its quite a big problem to source for foods that can satisfy that numbers of them...

My pals are coming to take some of them home soon, it will be good to give away some since im not capable to handle so many at a time...

[imported_imported_admin_old]

Well done! See, it really is much easier and bettert han buying nymphs on there own. Glad to see you are happy, and hope the nymphs can live to adulthood.
Cheers pal,
ian

[yen_saw]

Well done Ian, another satisfy customer!!! :D

[Mikevamp]

More than 30% of them are dying.... heard that they will canibalise each other right? But i dont to see them eating anything.... and they are too small to eat anything actually...

Is water just enough for them? Hope they can survive through at least L2

[imported_imported_admin_old]

Mikevamp,
You will find a lot of them will die anyway, and a certain proportion of them will be weak, so that is not unusual. What are you feeding them? They should be give micro fruit files, the large size will be a bit too big I think. How often are you spraying them?
Cheers,
Ian

[Mikevamp]

Hmm... i spray them once per day can?
What if i tell u i didnt feed them anything and just wait for them to cannibalise??

Our birds shop here only sell large crikets tripple the size of my present mantids babies... even if i go and catch myself, how many can i catch to feed 50s of them?

Is it possible that they will feed on themselves 1st and when they grow bigger than i give them those crikets sold in the birds shop...

[imported_imported_admin_old]

Well, you should spray them about twice per week, but that shouldnt make a huge difference. But you need to give them fruit flies. You should be able to buy fruit fly cultures online, have a look around. They will not cannibalise at L1, but as they got older they will. That is you main problem, get some flies in there and they should be fine.
Cheers,
Ian

[Mikevamp]

Oh my god... cant imagine shipping "Flies" to Singapore... Hahahaha....
Anyway, just to update my status.... now i left with less than 20s of them already :(

[imported_imported_admin_old]

Well get some food then, quick!!!
Cheers,
Ian

[yen_saw]

Received some mantises from Ian!!! Nice packaging, fast delivery, #1 mantis dealer!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v219/yen_saw/violinnew2a.jpg

[Hi Ian, I'm chowing a mealworm!]

[imported_imported_admin_old]

great pic yen!
Cheers,
Ian

[ibanez_freak]

Cheers Ian! Got my bud wing today! And he/she(?) is doing well. Nicely packed too!

Cameron.

[ibanez_freak]

got the 2 flower mantis today, looking healthy, very lively,
cheers,
Cameron.

[ellroy]

Received some lovely C.gemmatus nymphs from Ian - great service!

Thanks

Alan

[ellroy]

The 5 Idolomantis I purchased from Ian are doing very well. All arrived well packaged as always,

Cheers!

Alan

[ellroy]

Recieved some gorgeous Ghost nymphs from Ian. Excellent packaging and service as always,

Cheers!

Alan

[hibiscusmile]

Got a nice couple looking ooths from Ian! I cannot wait for these babies to hatch. Thanks Ian

[Insectchat]

Glad they finally arrived!