folded abdomen

[messianicmomof3]

Hi, it's me again~ our mantis is molting again and again she has refused food for her fourth day...my worrie is her abdomen is hanging/folding in half as she hangs from the top of her cage...I had her walk onto my hand tonight and she is just dragging it like it's dead weight...it started hanging like that after her last molt but as she began to fill out and put on some weight it didn't hang...but now it's just hanging and I'm wondering is this normal? Should I be concerned? and it there anything I can do to help her?

thanks in advance...

Penny in TN who is very worried

 

[Hypoponera]

Is it something like what is shown here:

http://mantidforum.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=11088

 

[messianicmomof3]

yes, that's it...oh no some of the post don't sound promising...but then again some sound encouraging...

Is it something like what is shown here:http://mantidforum.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=11088

 

[Hypoponera]

I have had it occur in both Chinese and Narrow-wing mantids. Doesn't seem to be fatal from my experience. But as the saying goes, "your results may vary..."

 

[messianicmomof3]

ok...well thanks...here's hoping it won't be fatal...

 

[messianicmomof3]

whoa! she made it...this morning about 5am she molted, somehow she wasn't able to get back to the top of the cage. She hung onto the side but couldn't get a strong grip and began to slide slowly down the side. the end of her abdomen was resting on the bottom of the cage. This was too nerve racking for me! I cut a small piece of netting and attached it to the side where she was, she reached for it and climbed! WHOA! her wings are completely filled out now here are a few picks of her: well looks like I don't know how to upload the pics? I used the browse upload buttons, but when I submitt the post I didn't see any pics. Oh well, all is well with Madaline.

 

[Hypoponera]

Cool! Glad to hear all ended well in spite of the drama and tension.