Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My Chinese Mantid layed an ooth. We found her outside so I am not sure if it is fertle or not. How long after breeding does it take before she makes the ooth? Also, is there a way to tell if it is fertle?

Thanks
Melissa

You found the female outside so the ootheca is definitely fertile.
It will hatch in around four weeks --if you don't put it outside or in a refrigerator. It will diapause at low temperatures.

Will likely take longer than four weeks. I had one that stayed indoors since it was laid and it took almost twice that long. Also there is no way to know if it is fertile until it hatches.....or doesn't. There is a possiblity it is not fertile. I have found several over the years there were not. It could be one of several this particular female has laid. They lay them roughly every two weeks after mating and up until they die.

A wild-caught adult female will always be fertile, unless you catch it right after you observe it molt to adulthood. Mating is very proficient in nature.
If the ootheca doesn't hatch, is was improperly kept, not infertile. As Rick mentions, improper temp and humidity will delay hatch time. If you keep the ootheca excessively dry or/and cool it might take as long as his.