Praying Mantids

$15.00 – $42.00

An icon of the beneficial insect world, praying mantids serve as powerful helpers in tree care pest control. Commonly called the “praying mantis”, that name is a more general term that encompasses mantids along with the 14 other families of mantises. They are generalist predators with a broad ranging appetite consisting of various insects and the occasional small animal. Mantis egg sacks are shipped as unhatched oothecas (egg cases) with each containing between 150-200 eggs.

 

Praying Mantids are a common Biological Control

Description

Early season shipments will take the longest to hatch – up to 6 weeks. Be patient, keep egg cases warm, and check often.

A Fantastic Addition To The Garden Or As A Science Project!

Praying mantids eat a wide variety of pest insects, mites, and insect eggs. Mantis egg cases are commonly released by gardeners looking for general garden pest control without chemicals. They can be instrumental in beginning biological control as part of an integrated pest management program in tree care. Young mantids prey upon smaller soft-bodied insects, while adults graduate to larger pests.

How Long Do Praying Mantis Egg Cases Take To Hatch?

Hatching requires at least 10 to 15 days of continuous warm weather (75-80°F, >50% RH) and can take as long as 6 weeks to begin. Once hatching begins, the young mantids emerge looking for something to eat. It takes just a few hours for an egg sack to complete hatching once it begins. Mantids prefer temperatures above 60°F for continued activity in the release area.

How Many Praying Mantids Are In One Egg Case?

Each praying mantis egg case, called ootheca, is collected in the wild and contains between 50–200 individual eggs.

How Many Egg Cases Should I Get?

We recommend using 3 cases every 5,000 sq. ft. or 10-100 cases per acre. It is important to space out each egg case to limit cannibalism rates among newly hatched mantids.

Disclaimer: Arborist.co cannot guarantee hatch rates of praying mantid egg cases because they are collected in the wild during the early spring months. We recommend hatching praying mantid egg cases in resealable containers that allow for monitoring; however, cannibalism among mantids increases when they are hatched out and kept in confined environments with limited food sources. Please release immediately after hatching commences for best results. See the “Instructions” tab for more information on hatching mantis egg cases.

This Product Controls These Pests or Diseases: Aphids, Beetles, Caterpillars, Flies, Grasshoppers, Leafhoppers, Mosquitoes

Additional information

Weight 1 lbs
Dimensions 1.5 × 1.5 × 3 in
Attribute

3 Egg Cases, 10 Egg Cases
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