Breeding Mantids can be quite tricky. They will only breed when both Mantids are adult and they should be of the same species. Determining the gender of a Mantis can be quite hard, especially when they are small. Generally the male Mantis will be slightly smaller, more slender, sometimes have longer antennae and will have seven or more segments to its abdomen. The female will be slightly larger and stockier. It will have six segments to its abdomen. Make sure both Mantids have been very well fed for atleast a week before introducing them. The male should be placed in the female cage, or it may be a good idea to put both of them together in a new cage. Mating can take a long time; the Mantids will not just walk up to one another and mate straight away. They will sit and wait a long time before starting. Once the Mantids have started to mate, the process could also take a long time. There are many myths about the female biting off the male’s head in order to mate. This can happen with some species, but it is not a neccessary part of the mating process. A well fed female is less likely to attack its mate. Once mating has finished, place both the Mantids back in their own cages. The female will store the male sperm inside her so it can fertilise many eggs. If the mating was successful, within a few weeks the female will lay a frothy egg sack called an Ootheca (Pronounced Owe-oh-theeka) on a stick or a wall which will quickly harden. The Ootheca should be removed and incubated as soon as possible. The Ootheca can contain up to 400 eggs and within a few weeks, Mantis Nymphs will emerge. They will hang down from the egg sack by tiny strings spun from the lower parts of the abdomen. The nymphs can be cannibalistic so it is a good idea to keep them in separate cages. They should be fed on tiny insects like flightless fruit flies or micro house crickets.