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How to Preserve a Praying Mantis Egg Case So it Doesn't Hatch Till Spring

When taking down your garden in the fall, you can find all sorts of interesting items attached to vines and stalks. You probably won't miss a praying mantis egg case because of its unusual appearance. The length of the brown, foam-like case -- which is about 1 inch wide and 1 1/2-inches long -- will be attached to the plant stalk. In the spring, hundred of mantis nymphs will emerge from this tiny sack. You can preserve this piece of nature, but keep it in a cool location or they may hatch before you're ready.

Things You'll Need

Praying mantis egg case
Flower pot or can

Instructions

- 1
  Find a praying mantis egg case in your garden. Clip the plant to which it is attached, leaving at least 6-8 inches of stalk below the egg case.
- 2
  Place the stalk with the egg case into a can or flower pot so the case rests well above the top.
- 3
  Put the can or flower pot in a location where the temperature will be consistently less than 55 degrees, like in an unheated garage, basement or potting shed.
- 4
  Retrieve the stalk and egg case in late March or early April, just when the spring days are beginning to warm up. Place the stalk in a protected area outdoors, such as against a building or in a garden with growing foliage. Mantis nymphs generally hatch within a month after temperatures climb to about 70 degrees.

Insects & Science