Feeding Waxworms

[Paradoxica]

I have a colony of Ghost mantises and just got 2 Idolo's,I had bought some waxworms a few weeks ago thinking that I'd let them pupate and then feed the wax moths to the idolo's since they like flying prey.I figured while I have them I might as well see if my Ghosts would eat them, and of course they wanted nothing to do with such crawly prey, even from my tweezers. BUT today I tried something new, I took the cold worms out of the fridge so they were easier to work with and let them crawl through a loop of sewing thread, I then lightly tightened it and dangled the worms infront of my adult females 3 out of the 4 took it instantly, my adult males would only strike at it but when I offered it to my smallest (an L6 male) he gobbled it up. I know this might be a bit much for a big time breeder with many mouths to feed but for me it was easy enough.

Just thought I'd share that with you guys...

 

[frogparty]

My ghosts like hf pupae squiggling. In front o their faces they react, but they won't move to chase them down

 

[gripen]

I have a colony of Ghost mantises and just got 2 Idolo's,I had bought some waxworms a few weeks ago thinking that I'd let them pupate and then feed the wax moths to the idolo's since they like flying prey.I figured while I have them I might as well see if my Ghosts would eat them, and of course they wanted nothing to do with such crawly prey, even from my tweezers. BUT today I tried something new, I took the cold worms out of the fridge so they were easier to work with and let them crawl through a loop of sewing thread, I then lightly tightened it and dangled the worms infront of my adult females 3 out of the 4 took it instantly, my adult males would only strike at it but when I offered it to my smallest (an L6 male) he gobbled it up. I know this might be a bit much for a big time breeder with many mouths to feed but for me it was easy enough.

Just thought I'd share that with you guys...

I use this exact method when I run out of flies.

 

[Rick]

I've done it when I run out of flies. Waxworms are a poor food choice though so I would refrain from making that the primary diet.

 

[hibiscusmile]

I like themt o turn into moths, but mine will eat either.

 

[Paradoxica]

I've done it when I run out of flies. Waxworms are a poor food choice though so I would refrain from making that the primary diet.

I have heard that they are too high in fat but is high fat truely bad for a mantis? Has anyone had a problem occur from too much fat in their diet?

Either way I was not planning to have this be a main feeder

 

[Introvertebrate]

I have heard that they are too high in fat but is high fat truely bad for a mantis?

That's what the reptile folks say. You're right. For all we know, they're the perfect diet for invertebrates.

 

[gripen]

That's what the reptile folks say. You're right. For all we know, they're the perfect diet for invertebrates.

I have trouble believing that. I feed most of my adults a waxworm diet with no ill effect.

 

[Introvertebrate]

That's my point. Just because waxworms are fattening for reptiles, doesn't mean they're not prefect for bugs.