Female Dead Leaf Mantis Ootheca Bound?

[stacywhite75]

I have a 7 month old female Deroplatys Truncata who has been lugging around a very large abdomen for several months now and I'm worried she may be Ooth bound. I got Diesel and two other females (double shield & popa spurca) at the same time and both of them have laid many oothecae. She looks so uncomfortable hanging upside down with her heavy abdomen tugging under her. She still has a normal appetite of dubia roaches and BBF. She has difficulty coordinating her legs when trying to walk and doesn't cling to leaves or branches as strong as she use to. I've tried covering her and provided a heat lamp, regular misting, limited handling time, added more branches whatever else was suggested via Google search. Now just wants to be handheld, I believe because the support takes the pressure off her abdomen and is more comfortable than hanging upside down. Tonight I soaked the end of her abdomen in warm water to stimulate contractions. She didn't mind at all. I'm beside myself with worry. It makes me so sad to see her so uncomfortable and not have the mobility that she used to.  Please - any feedback, suggestions, answers would really be appreciated. 

 

[MantisGirl13]

Sounds like she is eggbound. I suggest putting her in an isolated large enclosure with plenty of sticks of different widths. Spray her more too! Even then, it might not be enough, so don't expect a miracle. 

- MantisGirl13 

 

[stacywhite75]

This is the enclosure I have her in currently...The Ootheca that are in there are from another Mantis. Can this aggravate the problem?

 

[stacywhite75]

Should I add more branches?

 

[MrGhostMantis]

Does she have wings? To me she appears L7. Kinda seems like she is near a molt tbh.

 

[stacywhite75]

Does she have wings? To me she appears L7. Kinda seems like she is near a molt tbh.

Yes. She has wings. She's an adult.

 

[stacywhite75]

Yes. She has wings. She's an adult.

I taped up a leaf for a makeshift hammock for her to rest her abdomen. Otherwise it would be dragging her body down it's so heavy. Do I feed her less or just like usual?every 2-3 days BBFs or DRs.

 

[MantisGirl13]

You need thicker branches 

- MantisGirl13