Monday, May 17, 2010
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Praying Mantis Ootheca
These 2 praying mantis egg cases (ootheca) arrived Christmas morning in our stockings via Santa Express. I believe he ordered them from Carolina Scientific. They have been communing with our condiments for a few months waiting until it was warm enough to eventual release in the garden. The ootheca are cool, laid as a foamy mass that hardens as it dries. One was still attached to the remnants of a rose bush twig; the other had the bark pattern of its original suspension device embossed on its inner surface. We re-suspended them with a needle and thread because the emerging mantis babies prefer to hang upside down while their exoskeletons harden.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Preparing Luna Moth Coccoons
The dried leaf cocoons that have been in the frig since Christmas had to be soaked in water for about 30 seconds to moisturize. We then used a needle and thread to attach and suspend them (hopefully head side down) to a branch that fits neatly in our butterfly habitat. Now, we wait 3-4 weeks misting as necessary to keep the cocoons moist and soft--not crispy dry.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Ooh La La!
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