Instructions for Praying Mantis Pagoda

Despite what you may have heard, the praying mantis is not an endangered species. In fact, in states like Ohio, the praying mantis population is on the rise. So it is completely legal to keep these curious creatures as pets. When their eggs hatch, you'll have many praying mantises on your hands. That's where the praying mantis pagoda comes in. The pagoda is a hatchery situated inside of a larger habitat that is designed to hold praying mantis eggs. The use of the pagoda plays on the popular idea that the praying mantis has ties to Southeast Asia and China.

Things You'll Need

  • Praying mantis pagoda and habitat
  • Thermometer
  • Aphids
  • Fruit flies
  • Beetles
  • Roaches
Show More

Instructions

  1. Pagoda Construction and Setup

    • 1

      Take the pre-cut pagoda and fold it into a box using your fingers. The bottom and top of the pagoda are solid material, while the walls are perforated to resemble windows. The top of the pagoda will fold over into two layers, with a male and female fitting. Fold the perforated male fitting up and insert it into the female slot to secure the pagoda box. The pagoda will serve as the hatchery for the praying mantises.

    • 2

      Take the roof of the pagoda and slightly fold along the lines. Fold the roof corners until you can clip the open end together. Slide the male fold located on the top of the pagoda box through the center of the roof until it fits snugly.

    • 3

      Remove the eggs provided with the pagoda from their package. Carefully place the eggs inside the pagoda box and hang the pagoda inside the larger, tubular habitat. There is a loop just under the habitat's top that hooks onto the male fold coming out of the roof of the pagoda. Zip the habitat up.

    Praying Mantis Care

    • 4

      Place the habitat away from sunlight or air conditioner vents. Make sure to keep the eggs between 67 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit. The eggs will hatch in three to six weeks.

    • 5

      Release all but one or two of the praying mantises into the wild two days after they hatch. Since these insects need to eat live prey, they will begin to eat each other if kept together in a large quantity. It is a good idea to release them near a garden or cultivated field so that they can eat common plant pests.

    • 6

      Feed the praying mantis left in the habitat small insects every two to three days. Start with aphids or fruit flies. As the praying mantis grows larger, you can start feeding it larger insects such as beetles or roaches.