14 days from sub. Already going to molt?

[Mime454]

My female Taumantis has been a sub-adult for 14 days. I think her wings are swelling already. Isn't this too early for that to happen? She's stopped eating food at her normal clip. She used to eat one grasshopper per day, now she eats one Blue Bottle every other day.

Here she is. Think she's going to molt soon?

 

[sueb4653]

wow they are swollen

 

[fleurdejoo]

She is gorgeous! Don't you just love her!?

I love mine!

 

[Mime454]

She's purdy. I'm just worried for her. I think the molt should take a lot longer than this.

 

[hierodula]

well it depends on your temp and feeding, so if you feed her often and the temps are high, this is fine, but 14 sounds a little short. It should be more like 16-18 imo

 

[Mime454]

well it depends on your temp and feeding, so if you feed her often and the temps are high, this is fine, but 14 sounds a little short. It should be more like 16-18 imo

She's kept at room temperature, but she never stops eating.

 

[fleurdejoo]

They are fat fatties!!

I swear if I let her she'd eat til she burst.

 

[hierodula]

Thats too little imo, but if the mantis si ready, its ready. We can't predict when theyl shed, so i wouldnt be worried.

 

[MandellaMandy123]

She might wait a day or two, though. Mine get swollen buds about three days before molting and stop eating around that time too.

 

[Rick]

She's purdy. I'm just worried for her. I think the molt should take a lot longer than this.

I don't understand being worried. There is no set time frame for a molt. If it's time it's time.

 

[Termite48]

I agree with Rick. The average times one reads about for molting intervals per species are just averages. There has to be some times on either side of the mean. If the mantis is showing the signs, just get it in the best enclosure for the final molt as you can, provide the right temperature range and r/l. and hope for the best. You have a beauty there. Good luck!

 

[Mime454]

Okay, I'll let you guys know how everything turns out.

 

[JSaff86]

wow id say the molts gonna happen tonight with the way the buds are. If she's molting that fast you must be feeding her well theres nothing to worry about.

 

[lancaster1313]

Wingbuds can stay swollen for a while before the final molt. I am usually confident that a molt will happen within 24 hours when I notice frequent and rythmic abdominal movements, that don't stop for more than a couple minutes.

Also, the tip of the abdomen can appear open like it is airing out or something. in later instars,(If this happens in earlier instars, I can't see it nline2long: ).

 

[Mime454]

Wingbuds can stay swollen for a while before the final molt. I am usually confident that a molt will happen within 24 hours when I notice frequent and rythmic abdominal movements, that don't stop for more than a couple minutes.

Also, the tip of the abdomen can appear open like it is airing out or something. in later instars,(If this happens in earlier instars, I can't see it nline2long: ).

The end of the abdomen is DEFINITELY open.

 

[stacy]

She is going to make a beautiful adult!

 

[Mime454]

No molts yet, maybe tonight!

 

[fleurdejoo]

Yay!

 

[Mime454]

Nope. Not last night