rockworm 0 Report post Posted May 12, 2008 My daughter brought this day-old mantis home from her preschool class. Now I am stuck with the job of finding it's meals: insects smaller than it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stony 0 Report post Posted May 12, 2008 First off, that is an awesome picture. Small bugs like micro crickets would work. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riffleriversteelheadslayer 0 Report post Posted May 12, 2008 take a butterfly net to your nearest creek you can sure catch some midges and mosquitoes Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shezli 0 Report post Posted May 12, 2008 I wish I was doing this in my pre-school! Sweet bug. S Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fred H. 0 Report post Posted May 12, 2008 nice photo.try to find some aphids. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rockworm 0 Report post Posted May 12, 2008 Thanks everyone for the advice. I have a good insect net but the mesh wouldn't hold anything small enough. I have a banana outside, hoping to attract a mama fruitfly or two, but so far no luck. There are a few small bugs in the bushes and grass, but mostly black flies which are maybe 5 times too large. And I haven't seen any aphids yet. I think the mantis eggs, being kept in a warm classroom, have hatched before their prey. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fred H. 0 Report post Posted May 12, 2008 If you have a compost pile or a pile of leaves take a scoop from under the top layer and put him in the container with it.tiny insects will hatch out almost daily at 75 deg. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flytyerboy95 0 Report post Posted June 3, 2008 thats awsome i would get aphids like fred.h said Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites