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.
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.
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.
RESOURCES
Here are a few websites for more information on Praying Mantis.
Terra Viva Organics
Purchase egg cases on-line February-July
Ohio State University
Fact sheet on praying mantis
Colorado State University
Praying mantis life cycle
Arzeena Hamir is an agronomist and garden writer based in Vancouver, BC. She has a Master's Degree in
Agriculture and specializes in organic vegetable gardening. She frequently writes articles for websites: Suite101,
GardenGuides and ICanGarden. When not tending her own veggie
patch, she runs Terra Viva Organics.
go to Terra Viva Organics now !
