An Insect ID and Oothecae ID

Spepper · Apr 11, 2014

Okay, I have two questions. Is this a praying mantis' oothecae? And... what on earth is that? Haha. The insect pictured in the second photo is possibly the weirdest mishmash of bug parts I've ever seen. LOL I know the picture isn't great but it's the best I could manage. It was found in the river rocks by the river. It looks a little like a stink bug from above... but it hops. From the front the head resembles a praying mantis's and its front legs are missing any claws. They seem to be made for stabbing prey more than anything. I'm at a loss as to what it is. Any ideas? Also, if its anything worth keeping, how should I go about it?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/114543195@N07/13786796485/https://www.flickr.com/people/114543195@N07/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/114543195@N07/13787165834/https://www.flickr.com/people/114543195@N07/

Le Wasp · Apr 11, 2014

I'm not sure about the egg case, but the second looks like a toad bug (gelastocoridae). They're little hopping predators that like damp conditions. I'm not sure how hard they are to keep in captivity, but I'd guess they'd be pretty easy.

Spepper · Apr 11, 2014

Le Wasp said:
I'm not sure about the egg case, but the second looks like a toad bug (gelastocoridae). They're little hopping predators that like damp conditions. I'm not sure how hard they are to keep in captivity, but I'd guess they'd be pretty easy.

Thank you, that does look what I have.

I'll see what I can do for him/her in the way of a habitat. I'm guessing it's pretty cool to watch them hunt.

Tenodera · Apr 12, 2014

That's right about the toad bug! And sorry, that's not an ooth. Mantid ooth race almost always have visibly differentiable egg chambers, and are attached to a plant, rock, or building. The tapered part looks frayed, like some plant part or even animal waste?

catfishrod69 · Apr 12, 2014

That oothecae looks kind of like a moth cocoon, or maybe owl poop

.

Spepper · Apr 12, 2014

There was evidence that it had been attached to a twig at one point on the back (a little furrow and a few pine needles still stuck in place), but evidently it wasn't secure enough because I found it lying on the ground.

Hmmm... moth cocoon eh? That was my second choice... but it was shaped weird. And I don't think it's poop because it literally weighs nothing.

catfishrod69 · Apr 13, 2014

Yeah more than likely its a moth cocoon. Inside is probably a pupa waiting on spring to get there.

Spepper · Apr 13, 2014

A moth coming out of a cocoon this size will still make it an awesome find, even though I was really hoping for a praying mantis oothecae.

catfishrod69 · Apr 13, 2014

Understandable. Mantid oothecae are more foam like, than fiber like. Ive found two types of mantid oothecae. One is the most normal one, and its a large ball attached to tall weeds. Usually found in fields. Then another kind was attached to the bottom of flat rocks. Dont ask me how the heck the mantids got the oothecae attached to the bottom of a 10 pound flat rock, with no way to get under it. I havent a clue, but thats where i found them. I never had any luck keeping native mantids alive. They would hatching like crazy, eat and drink like crazy, and die just as fast as they hatched. I had 1 make it through a molt, then died the next day.

An Insect ID and Oothecae ID

Spepper

Arachnodemon

Le Wasp

Arachnoknight

Spepper

Arachnodemon

Tenodera

Arachnobaron

catfishrod69

Arachnoemperor

Spepper

Arachnodemon

catfishrod69

Arachnoemperor

Spepper

Arachnodemon

catfishrod69

Arachnoemperor