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 latinized combination of oo-, meaning "egg", from the Greek word ōon (cf. Latin ovum), and theca, meaning a "cover" or "container", from the Greek theke. Ootheke in Greek means ovary.

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 mantis and cockroach.

Female cockroach (Blatella germanica) with ootheca

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

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Oothecae

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

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