Ootheca
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Mantis ootheca

An ootheca (pl. oothecae) is a type of egg mass made by any member of a variety of species (usually insects or mollusks).

The word is a combination of oo-, meaning "egg", from the Greek word oion, and theca, meaning a "cover" or "container", from the Greek theke.

An ootheca usually contains many eggs surrounded by a foam of protein which may then harden into a tough casing for protection. Notable ootheca-making insects are the mantid and cockroach.

Female cockroach (Blatella germanica) with ootheca

Parasphendale affinis nymphs emerging from their ootheca

Ootheca of Popa spurca with a 50 cent euro coin for size comparison]]

External links

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Oothecae

• Photo of a madagascar hissing cockroach ootheca
• Photograph of a praying mantis ootheca

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