Eating ootheca?

DonaldJ

DonaldJ

Third Instar
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?

 
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?

 
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.

 
Hisserdude said:
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.
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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 ?

 
Hisserdude said:
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.
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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!

 
DonaldJ said:
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!
Click to expand...
Glad to hear it's working, hopefully the ootheca will hatch for you! :)

 
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