An empty ootheca (egg case) from an Orthodera novaezealandiae, the native NZ preying mantis. The ootheca is soft when the female mantis produces it but it rapidly hardens to protect the eggs within it. Every species of mantis has a different colour, size and shape ootheca.
NZ Praying Mantis Empty Egg Case
Scientific Name: Orthodera novaezealandiae
Location: Tamahere Gully, Waikato, NZ
Date Photographed: 13/06/2015
Image Number: 20150613-0021
An empty ootheca (egg case) from an Orthodera novaezealandiae, the native NZ preying mantis. The ootheca is soft when the female mantis produces it but it rapidly hardens to protect the eggs within it. Every species of mantis has a different colour, size and shape ootheca.