How Long?

[Mime454]

How long do you think it will be until she molts? These wing buds are getting pretty big. My male molted today, so hopefully it's soon.

 

[agent A]

I predict 2 days

 

[hierodula]

id say two days from my post... so not tomorrow lol

 

[sally]

when alice had wingbuds that swollen it still took her forever.... about 1 1/2 weeks i kept checking her. she stayed in the same spot and i kept offering her honey and water but she would not eat. it was really nerveracking.

 

[Mime454]

She has been doing that.

Edit: I'm a dead leaf mantis. I hate those.

 

[Digger]

Beautiful mantis, Mime. What instar is she currently?

 

[Mime454]

Beautiful mantis, Mime. What instar is she currently?

Subadult. I think that makes her L8.

 

[ScienceGirl]

Oh, her coloration is lovely! I love the fushia fading to green on your Orchids thorax. The eyes are also quite attractive.

Wishing your mantids the best! Good luck on the molt!

 

[TheOtherSpecies]

yes! Very nice coloration I'm currently fighting the same battle you are with my female molting too! My male is getting older and older with each passing day!

 

[Mime454]

I predict 2 days

doesn't look like it.

 

[sally]

i was worried about alice not eating for so long. she did drink the water drops until the molt. i kept her humidity at 80 ant the temp at 82 in the middle of her container. she liked to molt from the foam stopper. i just made sure her branches were close by. in hindesight maybe if the temp was higher she would have molted faster? idk. but she started eating 2 days after adult ALOT. i hope your orchid molt goes faster....we need video baby monitors....

 

[Mime454]

id say two days from my post... so not tomorrow lol

Nope. Here's an update. These are the biggest wing buds I've ever seen.

 

[Mime454]

SHE'S MOLTING RIGHT NOW!!! So much for sleeping. Have to watch to make sure Orchid Lady doesn't need help.

 

[hierodula]

YEAH DUDE!!!! SCORE!

 

[Mime454]

Okay. Good thing that I decided to watch. The spot that she chose wasn't very good and she reached the bottom of the enclosure. So I had to remove her stick, which was hot glued to the enclosure very carefully while she was on it! Move it over to the top of a 32oz deli, which I keep her flies in. Hopefully she can complete her molt perfectly now.

 

[hierodula]

I would put something in front of her so she can climb up

 

[agent A]

nice!! my wallie female molted too close to the floor but i was asleep and she died

 

[Malakyoma]

nice!! my wallie female molted too close to the floor but i was asleep and she died

I'm always impressed by how depressing things can get in so few words.

 

[Mime454]

nice!! my wallie female molted too close to the floor but i was asleep and she died

One of my wallys did that at L5. Sucks