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A Mantis ootheca is the foamy, hardened egg case laid by a female praying mantis to protect her eggs. This protective capsule is created from a foamy secretion that hardens into a durable, weather-resistant structure. An ootheca can contain from 50 to over 200 eggs and will protect the developing nymphs until they hatch, typically in the spring.
Protection: The ootheca shields the eggs from predators, weather, and temperature fluctuations.
Composition: It's made of a protein-based foam that solidifies upon contact with the air.
Hatching: After a period of dormancy over the winter (for temperate species), the nymphs will emerge, often in the spring.
Appearance: Oothecae vary in shape and size depending on the species but are often tan or whitish, with a texture that can feel similar to styrofoam.
