How much do nymphs eat?

macawlover2 · Jan 10, 2011

So like I mentioned in a previous thread, I have 8 nymphs ranging from 1/2" to 3/4" all separated into small jars. About every other day (sometimes a few days in a row, especially recently) I mist the jars and shake in about a 15-20 fruit flies. Is it normal for a single mantid to eat 7-10 fruit flies every day? Should I be feeding more/less? I assume they'd know when to stop if they're full.

I'm pretty much positive that the FF's aren't escaping, but I don't see any leftover crawling around when I check on them so they must've gotten eaten.

Thanks!

warpdrive · Jan 11, 2011

macawlover2 said:
So like I mentioned in a previous thread, I have 8 nymphs ranging from 1/2" to 3/4" all separated into small jars. About every other day (sometimes a few days in a row, especially recently) I mist the jars and shake in about a 15-20 fruit flies. Is it normal for a single mantid to eat 7-10 fruit flies every day? Should I be feeding more/less? I assume they'd know when to stop if they're full.

I'm pretty much positive that the FF's aren't escaping, but I don't see any leftover crawling around when I check on them so they must've gotten eaten.

Thanks!

young nymphs can eat a ton of FF. yes this is normal.

Harry

Rick · Jan 11, 2011

Sounds like you're doing right. Take a look at their abdomens. They should not be thin and they should not look like bursting. You want it somewhere in the middle.

hibiscusmile · Jan 11, 2011

If they are 1/2" at least, you need to move to house flies or 1/4" crickets or what the pet stores say are pinheads. The fruit flies are way to small for that size mantis.