I wonder if anyone can tell me how long and what conditions it takes for a praying mantis egg sack to hatch.
Last year we that the opportunity to watch a praying mantis go full life cycle from little baby that I found on my giant sunflower all the way to female adult who attracted a male (I even saw them mate) and then put a eggsack onto one of the smaller palm trees near my vegetable beds before she died a few weeks later. We would have loved to see that eggsack hatch, unfortunately the weather here has been very unpredictable with late rains and winds.
Friday too weeks ago a especially strong downpour and storm knocked over the palm tree and somehow the eggsack got lost.
When I went to the nursery last week I saw they were selling praying mantis eggsacks so I bought a container (2 sacks). The lady at the nursey told me it takes about 10 days of mild to warm weather. but she couldn't really tell me what temp mild to warm means.
Last week we had temps up to the high 80s so I didn't want to take a risk frying them. But I was going to put them out today or tomorrow hoping they might hatch next week while the grandparents are visiting. Temps are supposed to be high 60 to mid 70s for the coming week but some showers (nothing too big just about 1/2 an inch) are predicted for tomorrow.
Should I put the eggsacks out? Wait until the rain passed? Wait for warmer weather?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.