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An ootheca (plural oothecae) is an egg mass produced by several different groups of insects. Most notably Praying mantids and cockroaches. Oothecae contain many eggs with a protective outer covering. In the case of mantids the ootheca can contain several hundred eggs. When the young mantis nymphs emerge they hang down below the ootheca on a thread before splitting a sac-like covering and starting a free-living existence. (from http://www.amentsoc.org/)
We have a lot of mantises around our house and I was just thinking last week that I'm surprised I've never come across an ootheca... What do I happen to stumble across yesterday while up on my roof top? You guessed it. I spotted a mantis ootheca on one of my potted bamboo plants. As I was snapping a photo I felt something on my arm, and spotted a little mantis running up my arm. :)
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