DonaldJ Posted July 19, 2016 Share Posted July 19, 2016 I just observed one my adult female B. Orientalis eating an ootheca. She is ready to drop one herself. There are five adult females in the container, all seeming to drop oothecae at the rate of one per week each. There is plenty of food, including dry cat food which should provide enough protein. Is this a case of the female destroying the offspring of rival females? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonaldJ Posted July 19, 2016 Author Share Posted July 19, 2016 Ack! A different (non gravid) female just chowed down on another ootheca. Is this some kind of crazy feeding frenzy?. There are still four or five ootheca in the container and I will transfer them shortly. Any idea what's going on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hisserdude Posted July 22, 2016 Share Posted July 22, 2016 Ootheca that are not attached to something or hidden are at high risk of being cannibalized, so the females' behaviors are completely normal. I would suggest you either give them a rough, textured surface to lay their eggs on, like bark or maybe eggcartons, or I would separate the ootheca from the adults. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonaldJ Posted July 22, 2016 Author Share Posted July 22, 2016 Ootheca that are not attached to something or hidden are at high risk of being cannibalized, so the females' behaviors are completely normal. I would suggest you either give them a rough, textured surface to lay their eggs on, like bark or maybe eggcartons, or I would separate the ootheca from the adults. Okay, I put a piece of egg carton in the container and will know in a day or two if it makes any difference; two females have oothecae protruding. They must find the egg carton tasty...it looks like they enjoy nibbling on it. Thanks for the tip! By the way, what is the LOPWHHSOTHATPP Squad ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
All About Arthropods Posted July 23, 2016 Share Posted July 23, 2016 By the way, what is the LOPWHHSOTHATPP Squad ? I asked him the same question! It's not anything important, but it's pretty funny. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UncommonRoachBoy Posted July 23, 2016 Share Posted July 23, 2016 :D :D :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
All About Arthropods Posted July 23, 2016 Share Posted July 23, 2016 :D :D :D That's what I did when I finally found out what it stood for! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonaldJ Posted July 28, 2016 Author Share Posted July 28, 2016 Ootheca that are not attached to something or hidden are at high risk of being cannibalized, so the females' behaviors are completely normal. I would suggest you either give them a rough, textured surface to lay their eggs on, like bark or maybe eggcartons, or I would separate the ootheca from the adults. The little piece of egg carton in the container seems to be working. There is only one compartment but they put some food in it and there were three oothecae when I switched out containers today. I emptied the compartment and will see if they add the food again before depositing their treasures. Thanks again for the tip! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hisserdude Posted July 28, 2016 Share Posted July 28, 2016 The little piece of egg carton in the container seems to be working. There is only one compartment but they put some food in it and there were three oothecae when I switched out containers today. I emptied the compartment and will see if they add the food again before depositing their treasures. Thanks again for the tip! Glad to hear it's working, hopefully the ootheca will hatch for you! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonaldJ Posted July 29, 2016 Author Share Posted July 29, 2016 Glad to hear it's working, hopefully the ootheca will hatch for you! Me too! I have about thirty so far that have passed the "float test," and they're still coming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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