Mick, looks like you've found a website to help you with the ootheca's cool. If that one isn't as helpful as you need let me know. I've bred about eight different species so far and been successful with six. I have a couple of females now that I'm waiting to see if the mating worked. Some species can mate and wait up to two years plus before making an egg sac. The babies get sold, traded, given away and some are kept for future breeding. The prices vary from just a couple of bucks to over $300. Yes, $300 for one teeny tiny tarantula. Crazy I know. The most I've ever spent on one is $145. Got lucky with it too. It is now a three inch female that I could easily sell for over $350. I'm hoping to let her become a mommy over and over and over again.
Cap Murphy, cool on keep mantids! Like I said earlier I tried with a couple of the more exotic ones, Ghost and Orchid mantids.
Moyboy, It varies on species. This particular one if kept in the 26-28C range will go from this stage to a full fledged tarantula, although very small, in about six weeks or so.
Boutros there are several different species of T's in your neck of the woods. They all belong to the Aphonopelma genus. Some good looking T's for sure. If you grew up around there I'm kind of surprised that you don't have a couple as pets.
There are about 120 of the eggs pictured that I'm waiting on to grow up some. I'll add photos as the reach each stage. I had a sac of the same species emerge about two months ago. They are in their first color/hair stage called third instar. I'll post a photo or two of those here in a second. Too cute believe me.