Idolo Nymphs L2 now .. anyone at L3 yet ?

[Villosa]

I got the package beginning April, so at least two weeks before that. I actually hand feed my group every night with tweezers. Been doing that since L2 and they don't have problems with it.

 

[macro junkie]

I got the package beginning April, so at least two weeks before that. I actually hand feed my group every night with tweezers. Been doing that since L2 and they don't have problems with it.

why do u hand feed them?

 

[Villosa]

Cause I want to. It keeps them in check and I can make sure even the lazy ones get to eat everyday instead of sitting there and possibly ambush siblings. I don't use flies anymore, too much of a hassle. My B. lateralis colony is only going to get bigger so I'm good to go.

 

[mrblue]

Cause I want to. It keeps them in check and I can make sure even the lazy ones get to eat everyday instead of sitting there and possibly ambush siblings. I don't use flies anymore, too much of a hassle. My B. lateralis colony is only going to get bigger so I'm good to go.

of all the mantids i've ever had, i've noticed that the most alert and healthy ones aren't too keen on being hand fed, and back away from objects placed close to their face. i guess maybe it varies from mantis to mantis.

 

[Villosa]

of all the mantids i've ever had, i've noticed that the most alert and healthy ones aren't too keen on being hand fed, and back away from objects placed close to their face. i guess maybe it varies from mantis to mantis.

This is where things get intersting. My idolos aren't "tweezer" fed really. I actually use a thin, yet strong wire attached a thin needle. The roach is impaled on the needle, a bit curel I know, and wiggled naturally using the wire's fexibility while approaching the mantis. The mantis then accepts the food.

 

[MikhailsDinos]

Funny you should mention this.

I now have two of the Idolo Nymphs at L3 instar. I'm feeding the L2 nymphs fruit flies still. The L3 nymphs wont take the fruit flies. So I'm feeding them B. lateralis roaches from my colony, until I get the flies on Wednesday.

Nice work everyone!

Thanks again

Mikhail

Cause I want to. It keeps them in check and I can make sure even the lazy ones get to eat everyday instead of sitting there and possibly ambush siblings. I don't use flies anymore, too much of a hassle. My B. lateralis colony is only going to get bigger so I'm good to go.

 

[Villosa]

I've been trying to sex my nymphs but haven't been having much luck. They all look so similar. I've counted segments but it's a little hard sometimes. Is there an easier way at L3? I just haven't notice any differences while trying some of the methods. Thanks

 

[macro junkie]

This is where things get intersting. My idolos aren't "tweezer" fed really. I actually use a thin, yet strong wire attached a thin needle. The roach is impaled on the needle, a bit curel I know, and wiggled naturally using the wire's fexibility while approaching the mantis. The mantis then accepts the food.

try hand feeding them when u have 20 in a net cage. :lol:

 

[Villosa]

Just got done feeding them and noticed another has turned L4. Only 4 more to go

 

[Malnra]

now at 3 L3's ... 2 more to go ....

 

[mrblue]

I've been trying to sex my nymphs but haven't been having much luck. They all look so similar. I've counted segments but it's a little hard sometimes. Is there an easier way at L3? I just haven't notice any differences while trying some of the methods. Thanks

if you havent seen it already, have a look at my blog. i have a couple of photos that seem a good way to sex idolomantis, from L2. the males have a little hook on the third to last segment, females dont. i'm not guaranteeing anything, when mine grow i can tell you if i was right, but for now this seems the only way to tell my nymphs apart. 3 of them have this hook/spike, 2 dont, im assuming this is the gender split.

 

[macro junkie]

if you havent seen it already, have a look at my blog. i have a couple of photos that seem a good way to sex idolomantis, from L2. the males have a little hook on the third to last segment, females dont. i'm not guaranteeing anything, when mine grow i can tell you if i was right, but for now this seems the only way to tell my nymphs apart. 3 of them have this hook/spike, 2 dont, im assuming this is the gender split.

my blog on this forum wont work?how did u get yours to work?

 

[Malnra]

... #4 just molted .. seems all i had to do was wait just a little longer .. OR .. the magic of asking made it happen .. yeh .. i'll go with the magic thought .... ;- >

* edit * seems that the last one to molt did not come out with one of his front legs (not claws) fully intact. It is missing the last segment. It has the knee and a little below that. It may have problems climbing and hanging on, which would impede feeding. I will probably put it in a smaller container so the flys cant get too far from it. This may be one that does not make it unless they can grow back that last segment in future molts.

 

[mrblue]

my blog on this forum wont work?how did u get yours to work?

depends what you mean by "work" but i think where alot of people have trouble is that you have to "publish" every post you make, it is "draft" (and only viewable by you) as default. maybe best to ask a mod.

 

[Malnra]

5 of 5 are now level 3 ... only the 1 had a slight problem with his leg missing that last segment below the "knee"

now to see how they do when they molt to 4th instar, in a couple weeks i am guessing.

 

[Andrew]

A quick update on mine:

The first to molt to L3 died shortly after

Another mismolted. The arms got caught.

Three of the remaining eight have molted to L3 and are doing well.

 

[MikhailsDinos]

Nice guys, great work!

8 of mine are now L3 and two are still L2. I'm hoping the two left molt tonight.

Thanks again

Mikhail

 

[Andrew]

Have all of yours molted at night? Mine have all molted in late afternoon - evening.

 

[MikhailsDinos]

I've had about half of them molt at night and the other half in the early mornings. I get up for work at 4:00am in morning and I would see most of them molting then, but I would also see some of them molt just before I went to bed (Around 12:00 at night).

Thanks again

Mikhail

Have all of yours molted at night? Mine have all molted in late afternoon - evening.

 

[Villosa]

Mine molted usually around 10pm to 1am when the lights are down. Waiting for the last 3 to molt to L4...