Ratmosphere
Well-known member
Will an L3 ghost mantis be alright eating fruit flies until its next molt? Or should I buy house fly pupae?
L3 ghost mantis food options
- Thread starter Ratmosphere
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@Ratmosphere Ideally housefly pupae or 1/8" crickets or such should be used as feeders at that point.
That said I have kept a few on the larger Hydei fruit flies until they molted again, as at the L3 mark really is a transition to larger prey. Not recommended to do it, but will work with Hydei until you can get larger prey delivered/or you are in a bind - just be sure to offer them enough that they eat their fill.
That said I have kept a few on the larger Hydei fruit flies until they molted again, as at the L3 mark really is a transition to larger prey. Not recommended to do it, but will work with Hydei until you can get larger prey delivered/or you are in a bind - just be sure to offer them enough that they eat their fill.
LAME
Tenodera sinensis (the one and only)
Alternatively you can use small moths as well, so long as the weather in your area is still allowing them. Try leaving your porch light on for awhile and check. I do this alot to save out on my own feeders.
Ratmosphere
Well-known member
You never had a death of a mantis from feeding wild caught prey?
Not in the 2+ years I've done it myself, although it is a possibility. Personally I do not use any pesticides or chemicals in our garden or yard, and the neighbors are too cheap to bother with it themselves so it works out.
The only concern is the city spraying for mosquito's and such, but they do not do that around my area either. If you do feed wild prey though you should check into any nearby chemicals being used by neighbors, and call your city (usually the Highway department) to get their spraying schedule and locations (they will let you know you just have to ask).
