Mantids

Unlike stick insects which they are often confused with, mantids are predators, feeding on smaller insects. Although the largest of species have been known to even catch small lizards and birds! 

Mantids are infamous for their habit of eating the head of the male mantis during mating. Luckily for the male mantis this doesn't stop his ability to mate, being able to complete the act headless. Female mantis lay their eggs as a single mass called an ootheca ( also shortened to "ooth"). This protects the eggs in a layer of hardened foam. The eggs hatch all at once in an explosion of nymphs, with some oothecas having over 300 nymphs emerging at once. 

We are slowly trying to build up species profiles on each species we work with, by clicking on a species you will be able to find out more about that species and images of males/female/juveniles/oothecas.