Two years ago, we began what may become a full-fledged spring tradition among our friends: giving a praying mantis egg as a gift.
Praying mantises are beneficial insects that eat bad bugs that cause damage to flowers and crops. In addition to providing helpful garden “pets,” hatching mantis eggs can be a great nature study for kids.
We wrote about the insects last year, along with instructions on how to make your own hatching jar, and are happy to report that some of last year’s hatchings were successful.
Jay Lamb hatched his egg in a greenhouse, but suspects that the nights got too cold, even in the greenhouse, for the mantises to live through the winter. This is probably true, but the praying mantis life span is only one season, which – according to several online sources – ranges from three to nine months.
| What you’ll need
* Praying mantis eggs * Tall glass vase * Very fine netting * Large rubber band * Needle and thread * Paper grocery or gift bag * Scissors * Clear packing tape |
Jessica Meadows and her daughter, Linnea, hatched their egg in the house in the hatching jar, then turned the mantids loose in the garden, but the youngsters quickly moved on to greener pastures – or better hunting grounds – whichever the case may be.
Moving on appears to be common among some beneficial insects, as anyone who’s released lady bugs in their yard, only to have them fly off into the sunset, can attest.
Alas, our own attempt at hatching mantids last year failed once again, probably because our house and yard never got warm enough to tempt the young critters out. Those who read last year’s column may remember that our first hatching attempt the year before was thwarted by a blue jay or crow that made off with the egg.
In this week’s column, we offer a couple new ideas for making hatching houses for mantids, in case you want to try it for yourself.
A tall, clear-glass vase makes a good hatching jar. Simply cut a couple circles of fine netting large enough to cover the top of the vase with plenty of overlap.
Attach the egg (in the mesh bag in which it’s shipped) to a length of thread, run the thread through the center of the netting circles, cover the top of the vase with the netting with the egg hanging down into the center of the vase, and secure the netting in place with a large rubber band.
Or you can make a hatching bag by cutting “viewing panels” in both sides of an old gift bag, covering the holes with clear packing tape and sealing the top with the same tape.
You’ll need to place pieces of tape on both the inside and outside of the bag so that the sticky sides are together over the holes. Be sure there are no sticky spots inside the bag, as the young mantids might get stuck on the tape and die.
Place both the vase and the bag in a warm, dry place and check them often so you don’t leave hatched mantis babies inside with no food. Mantids are such voracious eaters that leaving them trapped in the vase or bag could result in dreadful carnage.
To order praying mantis eggs, do an online search using the words “beneficial pests,” “natural pest control” or simply “praying mantis eggs,” and you’ll get a list of resources.
You can also check out some of the larger garden supply stores in the area, but we’ve found that online ordering is the best bet.
It’s also a good idea to read the information provided online about the insects, as long with the instructions for hatching that accompany the eggs when they are shipped.
Write to Jonetta Coffin at jrocoffin@aol.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
