PlayingMantis
Well-known member
As my mantis collection grows, I figured I need flies in bulk amounts. Earlier this month, I decided to purchase 2,000 spikes from an online bait shop, and they arrived looking in great condition - large, juicy, actively wiggling maggots. I put half in the fridge and the other half at room temperature, and within a few days, they turned into pupae. Normal-looking pupae. A week passed and none of the pupae hatched, so I decided to cut one open. Inside was a glob of foul-smelling, rotten mess. I cut open a couple more, and all of them had rotten goop. It seems like the maggots died before even having the chance to begin turning into flies.
My room temperature is 82 degrees, humidity is 70%. In the past, I've only bought pupae, but because of practical reasons, I want to try spikes now.
So my question is, what did I do wrong? Or are bait-shop maggots inferior in quality, or are they treated with some chemical to prevent them from maturing properly?
My room temperature is 82 degrees, humidity is 70%. In the past, I've only bought pupae, but because of practical reasons, I want to try spikes now.
So my question is, what did I do wrong? Or are bait-shop maggots inferior in quality, or are they treated with some chemical to prevent them from maturing properly?