Anyone know how to get rid of eye rub on a mantis?

[yankeeman1421]

So I recently got a Sphodromantis spp. For my younger sister to keep her company at college, And it came great and is thriving and all but it came with eye rub on one of it's eyes. It molted but this still has not went away, however other than that the mantis eats fine and functions like any other normal mantis. Any suggestions? Thanks!  

 

[Sarah K]

DId it get any better after the molt at least? I know that I had some with eye rub, and it took a few molts to fully go away, but did improve a bit with each molt.

 

[yankeeman1421]

DId it get any better after the molt at least? I know that I had some with eye rub, and it took a few molts to fully go away, but did improve a bit with each molt.

Yea it got a little bit better but not much. I just hope it doesn't lead to problems with the mantid's vision or hunting as it grows

 

[Sarah K]

I am not sure how thier vision is affected exactly, but I do have an adult male that has it, and he seems to have no problem hunting or getting around his enclosure. 

 

[crabbypatty]

 Yeah I've had a couple with mild eye rub that went away with molts. They hunted just fine. ??

 

[yankeeman1421]

Thank you both! Also, how does it happen in the first place? 

 

[crabbypatty]

@yankeeman1421 when they see another mantis or they see something they wanna grab they'll continually try to get at it and while doing so they can damage their eyes. It happens in hard walled enclouseres, mesh is a bit easier on the eyes if they're going crazy in there. I've only had it happen twice. You should put a barrier so they don't see any other bug, like a piece of paper or something. 

 

[Teamonger]

I have a handful of adults with eye rub from being in smaller containers while I scrambled to make bigger enclosures for them (I was not prepared to have 40 some adults as quick as I did). None of them seem overly effected by it and all hunt and move around with no issues.

 

[Logan_123]

What is eye rub?