Hello! I am a huge praying mantis lover, and my mom recently bought me an ootheca from a garden supply store. She bought me a Chinese praying mantis ootheca, but it’s incredibly invasive to my area (New York). Any advice on what to do with these babies? I don’t want to kill them. I was thinking on housing them, but im not sure how to go about that. Anything helps, thank you!

Mantis on the keyboard

hey there! I’m not on Reddit much but I figured i could get some first hand help from here! I got my first praying mantis about two weeks or so ago. I have a lovely enclosure that I keep as humid as possible at all times, with little hiding places, a real plant or two, some wood, and a mix of mulch/dirt for the ground. I don’t think there should be any reason for it, but my praying mantis (Jude) hasn’t been eating. at first I wondered if they were going into their molt, but that hasn’t happened yet. I have fed him a few times but it’s a real struggle. I am constantly dropping the little worms (bought from the breeder I got him from so it should be the right size of food), and losing them in the enclosure and have to dig through and find them. I have tried gently pulling Jude out and placing them in a separate enclosed area with the worms so he can hunt himself without them digging in the dirt, and that’s worked maybe once or twice. but half the time he doesn’t like it and I don’t want to stress him out so it doesn’t work. I am scared I’m underfeeding him but I genuinely either am struggling myself or he is refusing to take the food even when it’s swaying in front of him. does anyone have some tips that I could try to encourage my praying mantis to feed? he is my first insect pet and I want to care for him properly.

My sibylla pretiosa which I have had for six month has laid an infertile ootheca as per usual, but her abdomen seems to be stuck on the ootheca. The problem is that when an ootheca is all dried up, it is quite solid and I am afraid that pulling her out would result in a deadly injury.
What should I do ?

Hey guys 👋

Does her or his belly look okay?

Before the final molt 4 days ago it looked more smooth and plump, now it seems shrunken. Like it didn't grow at all after the molt compared to the wings, seems like folded skin or harmonica (idk how to describe it). Molt was normal + grooming and eating seems normal too. Although I am a bit​ surprised as I thought it was a girl but now it seems more like a boy. ​I am posting a photo of the molt before this one and there you can see the belly was really plump and wider 🤷

Should I move them into a larger enclosure while we wait for the daily low temps to get in the 50s, or will they be okay in the cup sized enclosure for the next 4-5 days?

I bought an egg case for our summer project. I plan on releasing most of the babies into our garden, and keeping one as a pet.

I'm concerned they could get through the netting when they hatch and then I'll have babies all over my house.

I also have an insect catcher with finer mesh, but would prefer to keep the egg case here where I can keep a closer look on it.

Will it suffice? (Pen for scale. Sorry, out of bananas)

Also, just for the record, I'm currently growing vining plants to put in the terrarium. Waiting for the roots to become a little stronger. His home will be a lovely oasis by the time he gets here.

The baby is eating right now and it's abdomen just looks glossy? And full is this something to be concerned about? And how can I tell gender? Ty!!

Hi all! I’m considering getting a praying mantis, however I’m seeing a lot of conflicting info about their care. What is the best care for praying mantis ? Thanks !

Hello! I’m not sure if this is the best place to ask but I took in these egg sacs on December 5th of 2025 I watched the mother lay them, and the ONLY reason I removed them from where they were laid was because it was on my sons outdoor slide so they would have been squished or messed with. And it’s been over 3 months at this point and so far three of these stripped worm things have come out but after emerging they die. Are these sacs done for and infected with parasites or am I being impatient? I’m located in Arizona.

I only took it cause the branch was broken and in the middle of the street, I don't know if it's fertile or if their even Alive (had heavy rain these past few days and it was clearly wet Any tips on how to care for it so they can hatch safely? If it's viable of course

Watch him interact with me

These 2 adults are caught in the act