Freshly hatched nymphs of a mantis (Odontomantis pulchra)
They break out of the ootheca(egg mass) and clean themselves before starting their new life. They are brilliant mimics of black ants of the camponotus genus.
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Many species of mantids mimic ants, in their nymphal stage to survive as they are quite defenseless in the early stages. Odonomantis pulchra for example have a striking resemblance to black ants of the camponotus genus in their early nymphal stage. Many mantids look like ants during early nymphal stages.
And an ootheca is a type of egg mass made by any member of a variety of species including mollusks,mantises, and cockroaches.
Female mantid lays between 10 and 400 eggs, depending on the species. Eggs are typically deposited in a froth mass-produced by glands in the abdomen. This froth hardens, creating a protective capsule, which together with the egg mass is called an ootheca. Depending on the species, the ootheca can be attached to a flat surface, wrapped around a plant, or even deposited in the ground. Despite the versatility and durability of the eggs, they are often preyed on, especially by several species of parasitoid wasps.
The ootheca protects the eggs from microorganisms, parasitoids,predators and weather; the ootheca maintains a stable water balance through variation in its surface, as it is porous in dry climates to protect against desiccation, and smooth in wet climates to protect against oversaturation. Its composition and appearance vary depending on species and environment.