flower mantis question

[d17oug18]

I have a few flower mantises that are loosing limbs? not the claws, but the last 4 legs. Ill look at them and when i come back a leg is missing? it caused one of them to mismolt so bad he died. its a crebroter species, they are in 32oz cups alone with clothe lids, as well as thick layer of paper towels kept very very damp. They are L5 and at about 75-90F and around 30-50% humidity(not possitive on that). I dont understand whats happening because they are feeding on Fruit Flies still, no other feeder has been introduced? i personally cant figure whats happening? are they eating there own limbs even though they have food 100% of the time?.... Thanks in advanced for any conclusions to this problem ...

 

[superfreak]

looks like the humidity is a tad low, no?

 

[massaman]

well I know mine are doing very well even when they molt and there is not alot of humidity in my apartment and they dont lose limbs either and must be doing something right or just either very lucky or just very good at raising mine!

 

[ismart]

Maybe try and raise the humidity up a bit. I have seen this happen to old adult mantids before, but not nymphs.

 

[superfreak]

ive had it happen with nymphs