How often to feed Manis
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Digger
Well-known member
Bug,
It depends on the species, instar and environment. Also depends what you mean by a "few" days. Most mantids can go for a week without food and survive. Water can be just (if not, in a few cases, more) as important.
You can place them in a cooler environment (~ 65 deg F) which will slow down their metabolism. But again, that depends on the species. In general, leaving them for 3 or 4 days is fine. But again, depends on the details listed earlier.
It depends on the species, instar and environment. Also depends what you mean by a "few" days. Most mantids can go for a week without food and survive. Water can be just (if not, in a few cases, more) as important.
You can place them in a cooler environment (~ 65 deg F) which will slow down their metabolism. But again, that depends on the species. In general, leaving them for 3 or 4 days is fine. But again, depends on the details listed earlier.
If the nymph is not really tiny and the abdomen is plump, they can last a long time without food than you think.
One of my B mendica once refused to eat for more than 3 weeks. Then she started eating again and molted nicely.
One of my B mendica once refused to eat for more than 3 weeks. Then she started eating again and molted nicely.
Crazy4mantis
Well-known member
what species are they and how old? If it's less than a week they should be fine.
I do not know the species, pic attached (one you see) 
And they are 5 month sold. I re-captured them after they were released in June. I want to keep them for the winter and release. The one has already produced (2) oothea's .
And they are 5 month sold. I re-captured them after they were released in June. I want to keep them for the winter and release. The one has already produced (2) oothea's .
dlemmings
Well-known member
A week at most is fine, moisture or water and temperature are key but they are hardy.
treat them and feed them well when you return.
I once forgot about a ghost I moved to a separate enclosure after a bad molt...I thought for sure she was done for but when I looked she was fine. I let her out to roam while I caught some flies to feed her, she went on to mate and thrive over 6 months after molting to adult. however the better fed and cared for the better the ooth hatches are!
treat them and feed them well when you return.
I once forgot about a ghost I moved to a separate enclosure after a bad molt...I thought for sure she was done for but when I looked she was fine. I let her out to roam while I caught some flies to feed her, she went on to mate and thrive over 6 months after molting to adult. however the better fed and cared for the better the ooth hatches are!
SillyMantis
Member
I tend to feed every other day-3 days. Too scared to go over a week, but confident they are hardy enough to withstand such fasting.
Digger
Well-known member
The photo is a female Tenodera sinensis. She's gravid and I would feed her once every other day. She'll have no problem eating every day, if you want. I've raised a whole lot of this species (I am the T. sinensis Whisperer).
Flies (Blue Bottle); crickets (make certain they're gut-loaded); moths (a favorite - but none now in Pittsburgh); roaches; meal worms. Water every other day by lightly spritzing a side of the container. Chinese (their nickname) mantids are very hardy. However, letting a gravid female go without food for a week is, in my experienced opinion, not the greatest idea. She's pumping a lot of energy to make that ootheca.
What is her name?
Flies (Blue Bottle); crickets (make certain they're gut-loaded); moths (a favorite - but none now in Pittsburgh); roaches; meal worms. Water every other day by lightly spritzing a side of the container. Chinese (their nickname) mantids are very hardy. However, letting a gravid female go without food for a week is, in my experienced opinion, not the greatest idea. She's pumping a lot of energy to make that ootheca.
What is her name?
LAME
Tenodera sinensis (the one and only)
LOL@Digger
