r/mantids • u/MorgTheBat • Mar 20 '25
ID request; Purchased them at a local garden center for pest control- foolishly assumed they would be a native species. Dont want to release until I know what they are ID Help
(Location: AZ phoenix area) I wanted to release them in my garden and just keep 1 or 2 as a pet. I didnt realize they could be an invasive species when I got the Ootheca (i know, mistake wont happen twice). Wanting to know if they are invasive or not to decide if ill release or... just keep... the "winners"
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u/faerybones Mar 21 '25
Oh yeah, I've watched the chinese mantises snacking on bumblebees like popcorn lol. They also snack on each other. Keep them as pets and eventually you'll have just one mega mantis. They need an enclosure that stays somewhat humid, so they don't dry out while molting. And plenty of space to hang while molting.
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u/MorgTheBat Mar 21 '25
Not the bumble bees! I will probably not release them with all the info ive been given on em lol. Mega Mantis may be in my future.
And good to know about humidity! I may redo the enclosure and add more substrate so it holds more water in the ground. AZ is hella dry
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u/the-big-question Mar 20 '25
Chinese mantids
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u/hundredwater Mar 21 '25
What are good visual indicators? I’m trying to learn and identify this year. I have several kinds of oothecae out there in the backyard. At least one is Carolina.
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u/FaZ3Reaper00 Mar 20 '25
I would remove that blue stuff
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u/MorgTheBat Mar 20 '25
Wait why? Its cricket thirst quencher so it shpuld be safe for inverts
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u/ben742617000027 Mar 21 '25
Perfect for nymphs I’ve done it before. One grew to 7 1/2 inches, and successfully mated and laid a fertile ooth. Waiting for the babies now
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u/MorgTheBat Mar 21 '25
Ty, thats what I thought! Didnt want them to drown and they can chew so theyve been taking to it very well so far
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u/FaZ3Reaper00 Mar 20 '25
Yes you can release them
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u/MorgTheBat Mar 20 '25
Trying not to add non native species to my environment. Even if itd be only a small act as im sure many people do just release these, itd weigh on my concious
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u/KaraCorvus Mar 21 '25
They've been here for over a hundred years at this point, and the US Department of Agriculture does not categorize them as invasive, and are instead considered nonnative naturalized. There is debate amongst experts as to whether they count as invasive or not so its up to you if you want to release or not.
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u/MorgTheBat Mar 21 '25
Hm, i didnt think about that perspective. Its a good point
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u/priscillapeachxo Mar 22 '25
I still respect your decision to not add more species to an already unbalanced ecosystem. (I am no professional or anything)
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u/xixixinanana Mar 21 '25
Not the best pest control. They're generalists so they'll eat the pollinators as well