How long does it take for a ghost mantis to enclose after a molt to adulthood?

[Ratmosphere]

How long does it take for a ghost mantis to enclose its wings? I saw that it molted when I came home at 5:50 pm. The wings still aren't in yet and it's 11:08 pm. 

 

[crabbypatty]

@Ratmosphere Like the wings are out but still fluffy looking? Or the wings haven't inflated at all?

 

[Ratmosphere]

They look fluffy and the outer wing is still tan.

 

[crabbypatty]

@Ratmosphere hmm, they should've dried to their natural position by now. It might just have curled inner wings, which is what my Rhombodera has, the outer wings look normal, while the inner wings look furled and fluffy. A picture will help, but if the rest of him is ok then it shouldn't affect his health. Mine mated just fine with his curled wings. He might keep flapping his wings trying to correct it, but if it's dried then there's nothing it can do. It'll get used to it. Hope that helps! 

 

[Ratmosphere]

 

[crabbypatty]

Yeah, its wings look dry. The rest of it looks fine though, now it has a unique look. 

 

[Zeppy44]

@crabbypatty+ @Ratmosphere Thanks for the answer and question. My first of five females molted to adult with ruffled wings. With only one male I was concerned about breeding her. After a few of the other females are mated I will try her for breeding. Figured this subject might come up before I needed it.

 

[crabbypatty]

@Zeppy44 the ruffled wings might get in the way if it's a female, but let us know the results! My male mated just fine with his own ruffles, so who knows ?

 

[Zeppy44]

Aye will. Figure it may still be a problem but figured to mate others first just in case

 

[Ratmosphere]

Is this a common problem? Could it be prevented? I feel like a bad owner. I did everything I could. Any idea why her outer wings are a brownish color while the rest of her body is green? 

 

[crabbypatty]

@Ratmosphere don't feel bad, it just happens sometimes. My two Rhombodera are kept the same way and one molted with curled wings and the other molted normally. Ghosts normally vary in colors, I've seen many that are brown and green at the same time, so your ghost is just fine. As long as it's healthy and happy, that's all that matters

 

[Ratmosphere]

It's super hard for her to move, I'm not too sure if she's healthy or happy. 

 

[crabbypatty]

Are her wings getting in the way? Is that what's making it hard to move? Or is she lethargic?

 

[Ranitomeya]

Wings often end up like this when mantises do not have somewhere to hang at the right angles for wing expansion and drying. They are also sometimes disturbed and move to a location and position that impedes their ability to fold their wings properly as they harden.

 

[Mraw]

Same thing happened to my female ghost who molted 1 week ago.