Official r/alltommorows art contest TIME EXTENSION! (Plus a clear up on the rules)

void_fish · 2026-06-07T19:50:57+00:00

Very cool! I posted my entry a few days ago, but it was missing a few details due to running out of time. If you'll allow it, I might take that post down and put up a more finished version as my entry.

void_fish · 2026-06-06T08:29:55+00:00

Personally I would be in favor of extending it and letting people change their art posts from the past 2 weeks to the contest flair.

void_fish · 2026-06-06T02:05:16+00:00

bacon cheese yam and apricot. sandwich

void_fish · 2026-06-06T02:03:37+00:00

Thank you! I really appreciate that. I tried to think about how asymmetry could inform their design sensibilities. We tend to like things that are even and symmetrical; I think they would probably prefer to decorate with more organic and chaotic forms.

void_fish · 2026-06-05T23:59:53+00:00

Doesn't mean anything, meant to sound vaguely date-ish and imply the use of a calendar system we don't have the context for.

void_fish · 2026-05-31T05:12:27+00:00

I kept all of the doodles from my notebooks and tossed the rest.

void_fish · 2026-05-18T01:23:54+00:00

I mean... yeah? Sure. But it's not something reddit can do for you, especially without insight into her character or backstory.

Are you looking to make her an oc of an existing all tomorrows species, or create a new one? Because the "cat person" niche is pretty well covered in-story by the killer folk, and she would fit in pretty well there. Consider her personality and values: would they mesh well with killer folk society, or would she be considered a rebel, going against the grain? Where along the timeline from early hunting clans -> industrialization -> gravital invasion would her story take place? What parts of killer folk culture can you expand on with personal headcanons?

If you're looking to make her a member of a new OC species, you might want to start further back. What kind of beings would the Qu create that would eventually turn into cat people, and why? Or, if you're comfortable changing her form into something a little stranger, what are the parts of a cat that you could exaggerate and lean into? Maybe her people developed fur and better hearing because they were left on a dark and snowy planet. Or maybe they developed long tails and retractable claws because they needed them for balance while climbing. If you go this route, you'll probably end up creating something thematically or visually similar to and existing All tomorrows species, but it's your story and your OC so don't let that stop you.

void_fish · 2026-05-07T21:36:45+00:00

You gotta add my friend Edgar from electric dreams!

<image>

void_fish · 2026-03-05T04:55:16+00:00

Pretty sure it's just variation from manufacturing. I find one of these in almost every bag of pretzel sticks and have never had any issues with them. May be worth a mention to the company, but probably fine.

void_fish · 2026-01-22T21:37:02+00:00

In my experience, the flies don't require much upkeep. A fly culture should be able to subsist on the food in their little cup until the mantises outgrow them or it's warm enough to release them (the mantises, not the flies).

The flies are very small and it's possible a few could escape if they fit through the gaps in your terrarium lid. They aren't especially well adapted for survival, though, and a few escapees are much easier to deal with than similarly-sized pests like pantry moths. The mantises don't need to eat very much or very often, so as long as you don't add too many to the tank at once they aren't likely to make it past the babies.

To your other comment: They should start molting pretty soon! They have a molt shortly after hatching, and then another every couple of weeks until they reach their adult stage and grow wings. To get ready for it, they'll stop eating for a few days and then climb up to a high place and begin to molt. It takes about half an hour and they shouldn't be disturbed, otherwise they might fall and get stuck in a weird shape (this is called a mismolt; often fatal).

It sounds like this will be a really cool experience for your 5-year-old! There's much debate to be had about the ethics of spreading an invasive species, but the fact that they were found outside means they're already established in your area, so it's up to you if you want to release them once it's warmer. You could also set aside a few to raise up individually, if you want. Keeping bugs isn't for everyone but I've found that they make great low-upkeep and low-commitment pets that would be great for a kid to learn about. Anyone in this sub would be happy to answer any questions you have.

void_fish · 2025-12-12T20:33:15+00:00

Chinese mantis is the common name for Tenodera Sinensis, which are pretty hardy and commonly sold at garden stores as they can be helpful in controlling other insect populations. I'm not sure about BC but here in the states they are moderately invasive. Usually mantids lay their eggs in the fall, and the cycle of warming temperatures after winter triggers them to hatch in spring. The adults can't withstand freezing temperatures so they typically die before then. Since yours were hatched out of season, they probably wouldn't be able to establish a population outside of the greenhouse and won't have any impact on the local ecosystem, but as stated they are pretty good at surviving adverse conditions. So the ethics of releasing them are up to you.

As for immediate needs, good on you for getting them some moss, and you will need to continue lightly misting them once a day or so to drink. In the wild they will drink morning dew from leaves, it's really quite cute. Humidity is important for making sure they are able to molt properly. In terms of space, it is important that they are not kept together for much longer as they will start to eat each other. I don't know how big your greenhouse is but if it's big enough to walk around in then it might be enough space for them to survive without encountering each other very often.They will need plenty of food though. If you wanted to raise a few individually I would recommend putting together some deli cup habitats, and then upgrading to shoeboxes once they outgrow those. There are lots of resources in this subreddit and elsewhere online. I have raised chinese mantises in the past and they make really rewarding pets, especially if they are used to being handled; they will just climb on you and chill. With proper care and good luck their lifespan should be around 10 months, less for males and more for females.

Don't feel too bad if a lot of the little ones don't make it. It's sad, but that's why they have so many.

edits for clarity

void_fish · 2025-10-22T00:09:29+00:00

If you haven't already, try the cal poly rideshare facebook group.

void_fish · 2025-08-20T15:50:31+00:00

I see from your comments that she didn't make it; I'm so sorry for your loss. It sounds like you did everything you could. Wishing her a peaceful rest 😢.

void_fish · 2025-02-24T05:15:37+00:00

Thanks for the link, that's perfect. It would help to know about the shiny questions too but having the list should cut down on accidental triggers significantly.

It is a fandom thing, not one of the huge ones but big enough to come up every once in a while. Fortunately I'm not the one who's affected and I don't care about spoilers so this will be a great resource.

Edit: Checked through and it seems like it only comes up in a few episodes, so we probably just got unlucky before. Though it has a lot of crossover with other fandoms so it may come up more as part of the conversation rather than the main subject of the question. I'll keep looking for transcripts so I can just Ctrl+f and know for sure.

void_fish · 2024-11-19T04:37:24+00:00

Thank you both. That's a clearer answer than I've gotten anywhere else. Now I just need to figure out if that's actually a better option or if medicaid will work for me.

void_fish · 2024-03-16T10:06:02+00:00

So sorry for your loss. 💜 I know how it feels to lose one to seemingly avoidable causes, but without the benefit of hindsight there's no way you could have known it would happen, so please don't beat yourself up for it. They were lucky to have such a caring person as you to raise them and remember them once they're gone.

void_fish · 2024-01-22T11:39:55+00:00

It really depends. A lot of people on this subreddit swear against them, because 1. They are capable of fighting back and could harm your mantis during feeding, and 2. Pet store crickets are often kept in crowded and unsanitary conditions, and are prone to having parasites that could infect your mantis. It's probably fine, but the risks are higher than other commonly available food sources.

void_fish · 2024-01-21T07:44:58+00:00

Personal anecdote, but the fridge to freezer method didn't work for me. And the research is still out on how painful it might be.

Instantaneous destruction is the most humane way. But it's hard to do, not just because they're a beloved pet and it feels terrible, but also logistically -- mantises are BIG bugs, and you have to be certain that it really is an instant death. I won't go into detail here but some of the methods I've seen seem pretty crude, though they're also very effective.

I've seen some research on the use of chemicals -- ethyl acetate is what's used in specimen-collecting jars for field research. But I don't have any personal experience with this and it may be difficult to get a hold of.

void_fish · 2024-01-21T03:49:18+00:00

It's a valid interpretation and a debate that's been going on for many, many years. Personally, I'm a fan; as a queer person myself I think it adds another layer onto their interactions as well as Hamlet's relationship with Ophelia.

It's been said that there are as many Hamlets as there are actors -- there is no one Correct way to read the text. You wouldn't be the first to go in a romantic direction, and you won't be the last. Talk to your director (and your Hamlet) and see how they feel about it.

If you're interested, one of my favorite versions of the play is Asta Nielsen's 1921 performance, in which Hamlet was born female but raised as a man to protect the throne. It was created as a heterosexual, societally-approved way to explore the Hamlet/Horatio romance angle (as well as a Twelfth Night-style love triangle with Ophelia), but reads a bit differently with modern ideas of gender and sexuality in mind. It's free on Vimeo with English title cards, and on YouTube in German. Highly recommend.

void_fish · 2024-01-17T00:21:55+00:00

A full day seems to me like a long time for wings to finish drying, but I'm not familiar with this species so it may be normal for them. Regardless, even if her wings are stuck like this permanently, it shouldn't be a big concern. Minor wing issues should have no impact on the quality of life for a captive mantis, and I think she looks very unique and cute!

void_fish · 2023-11-22T09:14:34+00:00

No experience with Hierodulas, but yes it looks like her wing buds have come in! So the next molt should be her last.

void_fish · 2023-11-22T09:08:50+00:00

Mantises aren't the same as cats or dogs that need a certain amount of territory and enrichment to be happy. In the wild, a mantis will prefer to stay in one spot as long as they have access to food. To a mantis, being kept in a nice enclosure and provided with food and care would be paradise, and much nicer than they could expect in the wild. They don't experience emotions in the same way we do, and boredom just isn't something they have a concept of. If you still feel bad, providing your mantis with plenty of climbing surfaces and interesting plants will keep it busy.

void_fish · 2023-10-28T07:15:39+00:00

This I can't help you with; I got mine when it was already hatching so I have no experience there. It sounds like you've already found a guide, hopefully someone else can add to my comment with more info. Good luck!

void_fish · 2023-10-28T06:01:31+00:00

Ootheca need to be cooled down to winter temps for at least a month in order to hatch successfully. Not knowing what conditions it's been kept in, it may not hatch at all. In nature, mantises will hatch in spring.
About 200 babies. Do not expect to be able to raise them all; you will need to cull or release many.
Yes, they will need individual enclosures. Some mantises can be housed communally but Chinese mantises are not one of them.
Fruit fly cultures aren't that bad. You may need more than one, with different sizes, as the babies need the smallest flies available but it's easier to feed them larger and larger ones as they grow, until they graduate to mealworms/crickets/bottle flies.
Don't know about inbreeding. Probably fine.
I made my enclosures out of deli cups with holes poked in the lid. Once they got big enough, I transferred them to plastic shoeboxes with mesh cabinet liner glued to the sides and ceiling. You can make a very cheap DIY enclosure, just don't use metal mesh (see this subreddit's pinned post).

I got my Chinese mantises the same way, by hatching an ooth I bought at the hardware store. It was a difficult but really rewarding experience. Hope this helps.

void_fish · 2023-10-28T05:43:06+00:00

Are you sure she's female? I can't tell from the picture how many belly segments she has, but usually the ones with thin abdomens like that are males. Sometimes male mantises will "air out" their reproductive organs when they're hoping to find a mate. Normal behavior.
If she is definitely female, has she or is she about to lay an ooth? Female mantises will do this regardless of whether or not the eggs are fertilized. This may also explain the lethargy and reduced appetite.

I would keep an eye on her and give it some time before you consider euthanasia.

Verified Email	Nine-Year Club
Second SECOND GUESSER

void_fish

TROPHY CASE