Advice on feeding nymphs

[Nunsoup]

Hi, newbie question - how many and how often should I feed fruit flies to my young Hierodula nymph?

 

[GingerC]

There's no exact amount... it really depends on how old and large your nymph is. When I got mine as a presumed L3, she was eating five or six fruit flies every other day, but on the next molt she ate about ten a day, and after that, 20 or so twice a day!

Just try dumping a few in there and you'll eventually learn how much is enough for your nymph. You'll want to make sure the abdomen is nice and round, but not to the extent that it's folding or seems to be close to bursting. I usually let my mantis get thin again for a few days before I feed, just to make sure I don't overfeed.

 

[Nunsoup]

That's great thanks, I've been putting one in at a time, so would it be best to put a few in and just keep an eye on her?

 

[Zeppy44]

That's great thanks, I've been putting one in at a time, so would it be best to put a few in and just keep an eye on her?

Yes. Feed more and see how many are eaten. Or if you have the time, feed 2 then check later and try more if all were eaten.

Being a new keeper, this worried me more than other things after temp and r/h. Looking at the fullness of abdomen is how I judge now. If a molt is due and they are not eating in an hour or 2, take out the food and just watch for a day or 3.

Soon you will know what to look for and it will seem not as stressful.

 

[Nunsoup]

It feels more stressful than having a new baby around! ? Thanks so much for the advice ??

 

[Serle]

I have 6 Tenodera L2's in one container . Seems that when there are too many flies in the enclosure the nymphs get lazy , not moving and just watching them walk by..... S

 

[izbiggs]

Too many flies can stress out the nymph. I would suggest only putting in a few at a time