Moonlight Mantids was created in the fall of 2012 as a way to disperse our surplus offspring.  We have been developing many new techniques in the trade that were previously huge issues in the husbandry of captive bred insects.  These methods have been time-tested and shared on YouTube as a way to help our fellow hobbyists.  The trade is still very young.  That is especially true here in the U.S. and it is up to all of us to share what we have learned in order to ensure the success of our hobby. 

 

Some of the many species we have produced are the result of dozens of hard working people who helped light the way.  When it comes to breeding mantids, it is a labor of love and if you’re not in it purely for the sake of enjoyment, it won’t matter how hard you try or what you do.  You will not be able to make a living doing this and you will not succeed.  The insect trade is nothing like the reptile trade.  It is its own entity.  Insects are far more delicate and sensitive to shipping and have the ability to reproduce in captivity.  No breeder is ever guaranteed to reproduce the same species next year.  They simply fall in and out of trade.  For that reason, it is important to work together and share nymphs whenever possible.  These conditions are nothing like what we see in reptile trade operation.  That said, I’m able to provide mantids and supplies on this site as well as beginner information and resources for anyone looking for non-plant pest, captive bred Mantids, and other insects.  

 

Our experience in breeding exotic pets started in the snake trade as Serpentarium Surplus, which we created in 2008.  We specialize in captive bred rat snakes, although it's often a very seasonal trade and we sell very quickly.  They will, however, be available here from time to time.  Back when we launched Serpentarium Surplus, we used to keep just a few individual mantids from our parent sources here in the U.S.  The resources we have put into learning and developing our husbandry skills have taken years to perfect, yet many gaps in successfully rearing them still remain.  We would like to offer everyone the chance to start out with more than what was available to us at the start, with easy-to-follow video instructions.  We don’t want people to become discouraged when attempting to reproduce mantids or other insects, or to lay their troubles on the breeders.  They have, without question, spent thousands of hours on care and possibly thousands on mantids and supplies alone before they were ever able to share them with you.

 

Our message is clear and our promise is true!  We are all part of this and we are all responsible, not only to be reasonable and understanding towards each other, but to share what we have done and share what we have learned!  Thank you so much for reading!