I'll take the flies with extra moths please.

[minomantis]

Do you think mantids actually like certain bugs over others? I know many people, myself included will say their mantis loves to eat a certain insect but is that only because that's just what they feed them or they've tested it with other insects. I feel like in the wild, mantids don't have a choice in what foods they like because a meal is so valuable, but just wondering what your thoughts are.

 

[OctoberRainne]

I know mine here have preferences,I've tried moths a lot and most actually don't like them as much,but the bigger species like Majs and Rhombos seem to enjoy the bigger prey like crickets ect. more than the flies which the smaller or thinner ones like,so I think both how they are raised and what they think they can mentally handle plays a big role. Even smaller crickets,some are just like no,and still go after the large flies instead. Worms seems to be a common like though lol haven't seen a single species not grab a visible worm,they probably seem like the easist prey and cause a lot of slow movement

 

[Jinx]

I think so...

I have a Ghost that will snap up a mealworm in a heartbeat and chow down right away. However, most of the other ones are sceptical. They either have to be really hungry, or I nearly have to force feed them. They all seem to love flies though, and snatch 'em up without a second thought. I've also tried small crickets, but only my Hierodula goes for them.

 

[sally]

For some reason, most of my mantids love butterworms. The D lobatas especially. The Orchids won' t touch them, but they do love moths......Everyone of them goes for the honey. So yes, I do believe they have preferences.

 

[Jinx]

(sorry for going a bit off topic)

Hey Sally, where do you get your butterworms from? Curious, because some of my mantids have issues with mealworms/superworms and I run out of flies far too frequently.

 

[sally]

(sorry for going a bit off topic)

Hey Sally, where do you get your butterworms from? Curious, because some of my mantids have issues with mealworms/superworms and I run out of flies far too frequently.

I get them from mantisplace. I don't like mealworms,to squirmy and sometimes kinda hardened, but the butterworms are soft. I just cut off the head (ewwww) and my mantids go nuts over them lol

 

[Jinx]

I get them from mantisplace. I don't like mealworms,to squirmy and sometimes kinda hardened, but the butterworms are soft. I just cut off the head (ewwww) and my mantids go nuts over them lol

Thanks! I gotta order some flies anyway, and I figured I'd order them from there. I'll just throw those in the cart as well.