How do mantises reproduce and what is the process?

The mantis is a carnivorous insect, with about 147 known species in China. These include the Chinese mantis (Tenodera sinensis), the narrow-winged mantis (Tenodera aridifolia), the wide-armed mantis (Hierodula patellifera), the brown praying mantis (Statilia maculata), the thin-winged mantis (Iris polystictica), and the green praying mantis (Mantis religiosa), among others. The mantis is an important natural enemy of agricultural pests. So, how do mantises reproduce?

1. How do mantises reproduce

The mantis is a dioecious insect that reproduces through mating. After mating is complete, if the female mantis is in a hungry state, she will eat the male mantis to replenish her nutrients, and then the female mantis lays eggs and wraps the egg mass in a foam-like substance to prevent the eggs from losing water and drying out. When the temperature reaches 25 degrees the following year, the young mantises will hatch.

2. Mantis rearing methods

1. Storage of egg cases

According to indoor and outdoor observations, mantis egg cases generally begin to hatch when the temperature stabilizes at 20°C. Therefore, egg cases collected in November to December can be stored at room temperature until April, but they must be kept dry, protected from moisture and rats. After May, they are stored in a refrigerator according to temperature and usage needs.

2. Outdoor large-cage rearing

In late May, move the mantis eggs to be hatched into the cage, and after hatching, release them at 50 per square meter. Plant various low-growing trees, cotton, and other barriers inside the cage to create an environment similar to nature and reduce cannibalism, and cover with reed mats on sunny and rainy days. Before the 3rd instar, make the substitute feed into a paste for the nymphs; after the 4th instar, steam the substitute feed into a sponge-cake-like form. Place the paste feed on the branches and leaves of the barriers, and put the cake-like feed in small rubber bottle stoppers. Promptly remove moldy residue and keep the feed fresh.