Polyphemus babies

I got some Antheraea polyphemus eggs, and they hatched today!

They are related to the Antheraea pernyi that I raised last year, only the polyphemus are native to North America and I can have them without a permit.

Adorable!

Praying Mantids

I received a call last night from a reader asking about how to rear praying mantids. I've never done it, but I found these sites that give a decent description of how to do it.

http://www.earthlife.net/insects/mantodea.html

http://bugsincyberspace.com/mantid_care.html

http://ezinearticles.com/?Praying-Mantis-Information&id=223721

http://www.buglogical.com/prayingMantis_control_aphids/prayingMantis.asp

http://www.insectlore.com/xlorepedia_stuff/praying_mantis.html

It seems like the most challenging thing when rearing them in captivity is providing them with enough food so that they don't eat each other. And if you breed them making sure that the female is well fed, or she'll eat the male after breeding!

I hope this helps!