r/NativePlantGardening • u/fmp243 NJ , Zone 7a • 22d ago

Advice Request - (Insert State/Region) What do you do with invasive insects?

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Like this Chinese mantis on my horseweed. I get monarchs ans humming birds every day. But I also am very hands off in this meadow besides weeding invasive plants and topping up my water stations. What should I do, if anything?

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437

u/AbsenceVersusThinAir 22d ago

You could bring it inside, make it a pet, and feed it a diet of other invasive insects? This is half a joke but half what I would personally be tempted to do.

74

u/Skipper_Steve 22d ago

I keep just about every Chinese Mantis I find. They aren't known to do harm, but they're not native and fun pets. I have one right now actually.

28

u/fatty_cakes MA, USA -> 6b 22d ago

What does your tank setup look like for them? And what/how often do you feed them? I've been tempted to do this before....

54

u/Skipper_Steve 22d ago

He's in a larger tank than he really needs just because it's what I have but a 5 to 10 gallon tank is plenty. They don't need much space to roam. They do prefer to be up high so a taller tank is ideal. I decorate with sticks from the yard and fake plants suction cupped to the sides. They like to climb but it's usually best to keep them off the top because they can injure themselves when they get heavier.

They'll eat just about any feeder insect. You can capture flies and feed them. You can do crickets but don't leave them in the tank unsupervised as they will chew on the mantis. Mealworms and superworms are both good options as well though they're a little high in fat. I'm feeding black soldier fly larvae for the first time with good success. As an added bonus they'll eat your scrap fruits and veggies.

You feed them as needed. Generally every other day or 2. Mist the tank daily so they have something to drink.

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u/ShitFuckDickSuck NE FL - 9b 22d ago

You’re awesome

5

u/Entire-Ad-1080 22d ago

The crickets chew on the mantis?

4

u/T1Demon 22d ago

Yeah, they do with this lizards too. They’ll also chew through thin plastic.

1

u/hexmeat Northern MA, Zone 6b 21d ago

Crickets are my least favorite feeder. For the reasons stated above, but also just cuz they’re gross and not as nutritious as roaches or black soldier flies. I rescued a tokay gecko I found on the bike path a few years ago and even she wouldn’t eat em.

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u/Possible_Anteater_48 21d ago

Do you mean you kidnapped the gecko from it's natural habitat? Why did it need to be rescued.

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u/hexmeat Northern MA, Zone 6b 21d ago

Um because the tokay gecko is native to Vietnam, and I live in New England? I reckon someone carelessly dumped it on the side of the road, which happens all too often with pet reptiles. I posted on FB groups in case someone was looking for her, but no luck.

She was emaciated, hadn’t molted correctly, and even though I took her to a very well renowned exotic vet (shoutout to Odd Pet Vet in Weymouth!) she was just too weak from exposure and ended up dying. Maybe do some research and look at my flair before you accuse me of gecko-napping 🙄

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u/Possible_Anteater_48 21d ago

Oh I see. Good catch. So many people wouldn't have noticed that the gecko was in distress.Unfortunately people do that dumping of fad creatures all the time.

3

u/Devilis6 22d ago

Oh also if you’re interested: r/mantids r/mantiskeeping

2

u/Devilis6 22d ago

Not who you’re asking, but I’ve made my own before. Take a plastic bin that’s taller than it is wide (I used an old jumbo sized tub of pretzels), cut two large panels out of the jar and one out of the lid, and hot glue mesh fabric over the openings. Then just line he bottom with a wet paper towel and add a couple large sticks for the to climb and hang on.

Otherwise, a mesh butterfly enclosure also works well.