Extremely Swollen Abdomen

[Emi]

Hello everyone. My hierodula multispina (L6) has become terribly inflated in her abdomen, and I can't figure out why. From looking at it, it almost seems as if her abdomen is filling with some kind of fluid, and every segment plate is stretching as far as it can go to allow for room. She has been like this for over a month, and she is about a month late to molt as well. Other than her having to drag that monstrosity behind her all the time, she acts normally, eating as she usually does and moving around (or trying to) like normal. I haven't been feeding her much more than once every few days though for fear that she might explode. She is not pregnant because I have never introduced a male into her enclosure.

I've searched for stuff like this on Google, but I can't seem to find anything like it. I've read in one post somewhere that infertile pregnancies are possible, which I doubt is the cause of this, but if you have had experience with one, feel free to mention it. Does anyone have any idea what this could be?

In the picture I have uploaded, I show a picture of her from the side. I couldn't get one from underneath, but she's almost disc-shaped with how wide she's gotten around the middle to accommodate room for this mysterious swelling. It's rather sad

 

[frogparty]

Shes adult. Shes probably about to start laying infertile ootheca. Time to breed her!

 

[Mime454]

As was said above, that's DEFINITELY not a nymph.

 

[Sneaky123]

They still lay ooths even if they are infertile. She's perfectly normal.

 

[Mvalenz]

My budwing laid two infertile ootheca before I mated her. She is most likely going to start laying infertile ootheca. She should be fine.

 

[psyconiko]

It seems oothbound.To me it does not look that good.Stop feeding her until she lays an ooth.

 

[Rick]

She is gravid. A very large abdomen is not uncommon with gravid mantids. In fact when it is close to laying an ooth that is normal. However, that one appears to be slightly TOO fat. Feed her a bit less. She should lay an ooth but if she doesn't soon she is probably eggbound.

 

[agent A]

r u sure that's not a sphodromantis? the wing spot doesnt look like multispina:

 

[Emi]

She is gravid. A very large abdomen is not uncommon with gravid mantids. In fact when it is close to laying an ooth that is normal. However, that one appears to be slightly TOO fat. Feed her a bit less. She should lay an ooth but if she doesn't soon she is probably eggbound.

How long does it take before they are supposed to lay an ooth? And I'm sorry, but I am not familiar with the term "eggbound". Does that basically mean that it has hardened inside her and she cannot lay it anymore?

I just tried adding a bunch of leaves and sticks in there, more than she already had. I misted her tank, too. Hopefully, if she's not eggbound, she'll feel inclined to lay an ootheca now...

 

[Emi]

r u sure that's not a sphodromantis? the wing spot doesnt look like multispina:

I'm sure it's a multispina. The full name of my mantis is "hierodula multispina", and here what Wikipedia says:

"Sphodromantis is a large genus of praying mantises concentrated in Africa, sometimes considered a synonym of the genus Hierodula."

Thank you though

 

[Rick]

How long does it take before they are supposed to lay an ooth? And I'm sorry, but I am not familiar with the term "eggbound". Does that basically mean that it has hardened inside her and she cannot lay it anymore?

I just tried adding a bunch of leaves and sticks in there, more than she already had. I misted her tank, too. Hopefully, if she's not eggbound, she'll feel inclined to lay an ootheca now...

It is a term to describe a mantis that cannot/will not lay an ooth. Sometimes they can be induced to make an ooth by doing what you already did. If not they will likely die.

 

[Emi]

I think she may in fact be eggbound in that case, which is very sad... but alas, the circle of life. I'll do everything I can to try to get her to lay, but if not, well... that's that. :/

Thank you guys so much for your help!

 

[Crazy4mantis]

has she laid yet? if not, increase the temps. it sometimes makes them lay.

 

[agent A]

put her on a live tree and put a rearing sleeve over her