Can orchids eat crickets?

[Crazy4mantis]

Flies are kind of an endangered species at my house, and I'm thinking about getting an orchid mantis. If the mantis is on the floor of the enclosure, and a cricket walks by, will it eat it? I know they do not chase prey, so flying food is best, but until the flies come back, I don't have any other feeding options.

Ps. Does anyone have any for sale? Both the mantisplace and mantispets websites say they will have them soon.

 

[frogparty]

Mine eat crickets out of my fingers. I feed sparingly though, they puke if they eat too many

 

[stacy]

What about moths? Im waiting for new flies myself, but been easily getting them moths, which wow they seem to really love ( but im new at this, so double check anything I say still lol)

 

[frogparty]

Moths are just fine

 

[hibiscusmile]

yes, it is said not to feed them crickets, so I stay away from them.

 

[Crazy4mantis]

ok, after years of trial and error, many failures, and tons of effort, I'm finally going to actually remember to go out on the porch tonight to see if there are any moths lol. I keep forgetting!

 

[patrickfraser]

I've been fattening my "preggers" with silkworm moths. They love them.

 

[frogparty]

I'm so glad to hear that!!! I just ordered some silkworms

 

[Paradoxica]

How long does it take for the silkworms to become silkmoths? Also how big is the moth?

 

[Crazy4mantis]

the moths are nice, fat and juicy...(and have great nutritional value :lol: ) the moths are about 1-2 in and do not fly. after hatching, silkworms take 28-30 days to cocoon and 2-3 weeks to emerge from the cocoon. the larvae are 3 in.

http://www.silkwormshop.com/silkworm_info.html