Nice preying mantis.
I used to raise them also, as they are as thick as fleas in Arizona, where I am originally from.
To rekn: A preying mantis only has a 9 month or so life cycle, and they all die off in Autumn, or early Winter, as yankreefer mentioned.
In the spring just go to any garden center and buy an othacae (Eggsack). they are sold to add to your garden, for pesy control (And a much better option than pesticides). You will have an abundance of mantis in short order, and you can release the extras in the yard for a bit of clean-up for pesky grasshoppers or whatever else is around.
The chinese mantis is the most common mantis I the Americas now, as they have all but run the indigenous mantis (Carolina mantis) out of the game. It's bigger, and it deals with a wider range of habitats easier.
Interesting mantis facts: A preying mantis will prey upon all other insects, *excpet* for ants. It seems to know that ants are trouble, and will avoid them at all costs.
A preying mantis is the only animal with one ear. Scientists have determined that it serves as a radar-jamming device for use against bats. Nature is a strange and wonderous thing...
Hope that helps.
-Uriel
