Is misting truly a prerequisite for keeping?

[mantisman 230]

I have noticed no mismolts in my collection for some time despite having humidity loving species such as Hierodula majuscula and H.coronatus. I don't mist at all. And this has given me room for thought. Is misting all that important in normal conditions?

 

[Sticky]

If I dont mist, I have lost babies in mismolts.

 

[mantisman 230]

Some species obviously need it if your area is dry, but I haven't sprayed any of mine in ages. And what I really funny is that all of my Rhombodera fusca are still green.

 

[Bloodtkr]

i keep the room at 60-65% humidity and dont mist. once in a while to give them a drink but not religiously ; /

 

[hibiscusmile]

I like to give em drink, just water, no beer. :tt2:

 

[mantisman 230]

There was something about a "drunk" Idolo the other day xD

 

[Mantis Man13]

yah i read that too lol :clown:

 

[Alikaren]

I read somewhere that the molting process was mostly controlled by internal fluids, so yeah humidity shouldn't be very important for molting, although I believe the molt to adulthood is an exception.

 

[Jay]

I think misting completely depends on the current humidity vs. the optimal humidity for the species. Also, depending upon the stage of development, some species may require more or less misting. In addition, there are definitely some species that prefer misting (and drinking) more often than others. My spinies gobble up water droplets every day as if it's going out of style while my ghosts are not as eager to drink.

 

[mantisman 230]

Lol, my Pnigomantis have never drank. Any time I misted them they ignored it.

 

[CosbyArt]

I know at times I don't mist frequently unless the humidity is low, I just figured I was being lazy.

That said I do know that any mantids I've had below the L3 instar level seem to have to be kept misted to avoid excessive mismolts. Other than that I'm not so sure as I rarely have an issue with any mantids above the L3 area. I tend to worry more about the springtails and isopods in their cups getting moisture, to make sure they are keeping it clean.

 

[mantisman 230]

Lol, well I have had tons of clean she's this week, no misting xD. These were like Hierodula membranacea and majuscula, as well as others.

 

[PlayingMantis]

During the winter months, when humidity is <30%, I have to mist 2-3 times a day, and still experience mismolts. During the summer, I rarely see mismolts and I mist only every couple of days, because the indoor humidity is as high as 70%.

And some of the species, like Hierodula's, are quite hardy, even if you don't have the perfect humidity levels.

 

[mantisman 230]

Majuscula is said to absolutely love high humidity, and so far I haven't had any issues, even better is that I have a rust morph nymph

 

[mantiseater]

well i guess the orchid didnt do well in low humidity based on what u Dmed me

 

[birdiefu]

well i guess the orchid didnt do well in low humidity based on what u Dmed me

Curious whose orchid you are referring to - I don't see a mismolted one mentioned in this thread. I am guessing they weren't misted and it was low (%?) ambient humidity?