Praying mantis
Natural Insect Control
The Chinese mantis, or Tenodera Sinensis, is an extremely voracious natural predator. It targets a wide variety of harmful insects, such as aphids, thrips, potato beetles, caterpillars, and many others. It is also appreciated as a pet insect and can be kept in terrariums.
This product is offered in the form of oothecae containing 40 to 400 eggs, releasing an average of 200 individuals upon hatching.
Specifications
| Ideal temperature 18°C – 24°C |
| Ideal humidity 50% – 70% |
| Storage Refrigerator |
| Use Immediately |
Instructions
For indoor hatching, attach the ootheca to a stick or branch inside a closed, ventilated container, such as a paper bag or a jar covered with fine cloth. Place it near a bright window, but out of direct sunlight. Mist the ootheca daily to maintain adequate humidity.
For outdoor hatching, attach the oothecae two to five feet high on plants or shrubs, out of direct sunlight. Water occasionally to maintain a minimum level of humidity near the ootheca.
The hatching process is triggered by exposure to temperatures above 16 degrees Celsius. It takes 4 to 6 weeks indoors and 4 to 12 weeks outdoors, depending on the temperature.
Precautions
- Remove the oothecae from the burlap wrapping before hatching.
- Do not place the oothecae outdoors before the end of the nightly frost.
- Do not combine with the introduction of other predators. Mantises will attack other insects.
- Mantises kept in terrariums must be fed daily or weekly according to their growing size.
- Insufficient food can cause cannibalism.