H. membranacea final molt

[Matthewcmcginn]

I'm sure this has been asked before but my giant asian mantis has been preparing for her final molt for seven days now. I think it was because the temperature in my room was 20°C and not 24°C. I have it set to 23°C and the windows are open. Is this normal or human error. 

 

[Mantis Lady]

Cochise my H. membranacea female took a long time too to prepare for her last molt .(longer than a week) My living room is always on 21,5°C. I think they need time because a lot is changing in their little bodies to get ready for adulthood. Keep misting her home for humidity and she can drink. Be patient. (hard to be when it takes long time, but try)

I hope she will have a good molt.

 

[MantisGirl13]

Good luck with the molt! Keep her at a good temperature, and give her lots to drink.

- MantisGirl13

 

[Matthewcmcginn]

First time pet mantis, for her to drink while she's upside down and can't move much. What's the best method to give her water.

Update: used a spoon with pure spring water and now she's fine. 

 

[Mantis Lady]

A spoon works fine when it was hot a few weeks ago, I let my mantis drink via spoon too.

 

[MantisGirl13]

I just use a spray bottle and mist her and the cage. You could also get water on your hands and let it drip onto the sides of the cage.

- MantisGirl13

 

[Mantis Lady]

cochise didn't like to be misted ?

 

[MantisGirl13]

cochise didn't like to be misted ?

Then don't mist her directly, but mist around her.

- MantisGirl13

 

[Mantis Lady]

Yeah, that is what i do now, and if it is hot, I will take her with me. She can drink from a tea spoon.

@MatthewcmcginnI am wondering did your female molt already?

 

[Matthewcmcginn]

No, not yet. I hope she's okay this is the morning of the 9th day. 

Her top two wing buds are getting dark green now though. 

 

[Mantis Lady]

I don't remember how many days it took mine to molt, but I know the feeling you have now. I was worried too. It was longer than a week too. Keep her hydrated. she know the time to be ready to start.

 

[Matthewcmcginn]

I thank you and mantisgirl13 for helping me. The Internet is full of misinformation. 

 

[Mantis Lady]

i can only tell my experience I had with Cochise (my first mantis to reach adulthood) for me it was new too. I hope she will molt very soon, and turn in a beautiful mantis with nice wings.

The molting of my mantis I missed, but pumping up the wings  part I have seen. Nature is beautiful.

 

[Matthewcmcginn]

It really is, this is a picture of her before she started getting ready to molt. 

 

[Mantis Lady]

she is beautiful?

 

[Matthewcmcginn]

Her name is Kama. Right now her abdomen is swollen, arched towards the ground, and is ghost white. 

 

[Mantis Lady]

can you show a picture?

 

[Matthewcmcginn]

 

[Synapze]

Wow... she looks like she could molt any minute.