Sorry to have to report that Miss Mantis passed away yesterday. She was slowing down and I was a little worried about her, but hoped she was just getting ready to lay eggs. Unfortunately, it seemed she was not up to it. She lived just over six moths which is about right for her species. Just a shame she won’t have babies.
Idi, the female South African mantis did however lay eggs. Her eggs will not be allowed to reach hatching though. It’s certainly not good form to be breeding a pest species even in captivity.
Our first pair of spiny leaf insects have gone to a good home. At least another twenty hatched and moulting successfully.
Cheers,
Hugh