Another Newbie

[TWelti]

Just got interested in this a few weeks ago.  I have always been fascinated by Scorpions, and then got interested in Mantids.  I don't any any scorps but now have two Chinese mantis (L4 or 5), and one African (sold as SPHODROMANTIS BACETTI L4 but wondering if it is actually Lineoa).  I have a Spiny mantis on the way, and also two Ghost mantises coming.  I had one Ghost mantis but it died.  I had a painter in the next room and maybe didn't move the critters outside fast enough (?).  I'm working on my setup, and trying to wean the mantids I have off Hydei flies and onto something a bit more substantive.  I have some mealworms, waxworms, and Soldier Fly larvae, which they don't yet seem interested in.  I fed one of the Chinese mantises a cricket but have been told it might not be a good idea.

 

[MrGhostMantis]

Welcome! Yeah don’t do crickets haha.

 

[hibiscusmile]

welcome, they are ready for house flies.

 

[Mantis Lady]

little grasshoppers will work too. No crickets like mrGostMantis said.

 

[Synapze]

Welcome  

 

[TheWrongCrowd]

Welcome to the community! Like everybody will say, don't do crickets they can be toxic if fed too much or sometimes at all. Have fun with your new critters, they're pretty cool.  

 

[TWelti]

Thanks for the advice, and the welcome.  I just had a Chinese mantis drop while molting, and actually survived!  I had him out on a houseplant, not realizing he was ready to molt.  He didn't have a god enough grip on that plant, and  fell about 6" to a hard surface.  I thought he was a goner.  Not knowing what else to do, I grabbed a piece of tape and lightly stuck his rear legs the old ones, to it and hung him back up.  It took around 90 minutes but he made it out and is perched up on his favorite plat looking at me like, "what's the big deal"?  I thought it was pretty amazing since I had heard that they almost never survive a all during molting.

I mentioned this on another forum and was scolded a bit for taping my insects!   Then ribbed a bit.   But, in the end, it worked.

 

[TheWrongCrowd]

Wow! What a tough little dude that's good

Thanks for the advice, and the welcome.  I just had a Chinese mantis drop while molting, and actually survived!  I had him out on a houseplant, not realizing he was ready to molt.  He didn't have a god enough grip on that plant, and  fell about 6" to a hard surface.  I thought he was a goner.  Not knowing what else to do, I grabbed a piece of tape and lightly stuck his rear legs the old ones, to it and hung him back up.  It took around 90 minutes but he made it out and is perched up on his favorite plat looking at me like, "what's the big deal"?  I thought it was pretty amazing since I had heard that they almost never survive a all during molting.

I mentioned this on another forum and was scolded a bit for taping my insects!   Then ribbed a bit.   But, in the end, it worked.