Box Elder Bugs?

[newravenstar]

I have a rather large abundance of box elder bugs around my home. I was wondering if they could be fed to my Ghost Mantis.

 

[MandellaMandy123]

Hmm... How big is your ghost? Those things have a pretty tough shell, don't they?

 

[newravenstar]

I believe it's a L4 now. The are part of the Hemiptera order, and are quite squishy.

 

[Termite48]

They should be similar to some roaches in suitability for Mantis food source. Being Hemipterans, they are non-carnivorous and may be some risk of the presence of insecticides.

 

[MandellaMandy123]

They should be fine, but I'd wait until L5 or probably L6. L4 is a little small.

 

[Rick]

I've used them.