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Not many gardeners come into
contact with a praying mantis but few can deny that they've heard
of the infamous way in which the insects mate. While the female
can indeed feed on its mate's head during copulation, praying
mantis also have other amazing features. The mantid is the only
predator which is fast enough to catch mosquitoes and flies.
It is also the only insect that can turn its head all the way
around (180 degrees).
Praying mantis have voracious
appetites and will eat a variety of insects including aphids,
grasshoppers, fruit flies, house flies, moths and crickets. However,
in addition to these insects, praying mantis will also eat beneficial
insects like hover flies and lacewings. If you're a gardener
who is contemplating using praying mantis for pest control, do
keep this in mind.
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Most praying mantis are sold as
egg cases; each egg case will hatch between 50-200 young nymphs.
For the best pest control, use 3 egg cases for a garden under
5,000 sq. ft. We recommend that you use your egg cases immediately
although they can be refrigerated for up to a week after receiving
them. You can either hang the egg case outside and allow the
young nymphs to escape, or you can set up a terrarium. |
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Indoor Care of Praying Mantis
Set up a terrarium with in a
fish tank, gold fish bowl, yogurt container, or even a jam jar.
Whatever type of container is used, a stick or branch should
be provided for the insects to hang from as well as a small dish
of water in the bottom to add humidity to the enclosure.
Place mesh over the top of the
container to prevent the young from escaping but still allow
air and food to be put in. The temperature should be kept at
approximately 25-28 C (75-80 F). The easiest way of maintaining
the temperature is by using an under tank heating mat. Keep the
container out of direct sunlight and maintain a humid atmosphere
by misting everyday.
Feeding Praying Mantis
The young nymphs will wiggle
out of their egg case in about 3 weeks. As they grow bigger,
move them into a larger container so they have enough room to
feed and move. Upon hatching, the mantids must have live food
every 2-3 days. If not, they will devour each other.
Living insects, such as fruit
flies, aphids, cockroaches, crickets, beetles, grasshoppers,
spiders, caterpillars, moths, and houseflies are a favourite
food of the mantis. The smaller, softer-bodied insects are a
better food source for the young nymphs. After having completed
their early stages, they may be fed insects larger than aphids
and vinegar flies such as mosquitoes, flies, and roaches.
If they are not released, each
adult will need its own cage. One mantis may be kept on its own
as a pet and fed throughout the year. |
