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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.

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★ Photo of a madagascar hissing cockroach ootheca

★ Gallery with oothecae of various mantis species

★ Photograph of a praying mantis ootheca

★ Incubating praying mantis ootheca in captivity.