Is she scared of prey

[macromatt]

Hi all,

I decided to try my 4th instar orchid with a GB today, when she noticed it she raised her arms in the typical mantis position and then started back tracking across the enclosure, she was also wiggling her abdomen. Is this normal? Now she is facing away from the fly ?

 

[Danny.]

Hi all,

I decided to try my 4th instar orchid with a GB today, when she noticed it she raised her arms in the typical mantis position and then started back tracking across the enclosure, she was also wiggling her abdomen. Is this normal? Now she is facing away from the fly ?

She just moulted yesterday, give her a few days before feeding again.

 

[macromatt]

Ok, what is the reason? Just rest I presume?

 

[MantidBro]

Ok, what is the reason? Just rest I presume?

No but their exoskeleton is soft and not as strong as it should be yet, it takes a few days. Its kind of like trying to get a newborn baby to eat a live chicken. Lol

 

[Rick]

If the mantis just molted you should not introduce food for at least 24 hours. Molting is an energetically expensive process and mantids will be very hungry post-molt but they need time to harden the new exoskeleton because otherwise prey animals could harm the mantis.

 

[macromatt]

Thanks all, well it's been 48 hours so I think she deserves a fly or a few small fruit flies now?

 

[hibiscusmile]

Also when going into a molt, remove food so as not to distress them. ps, remove my food and I will eat your legs oofffff!

 

[macromatt]

Haha noted