leg joint growths

[Digger]

Nikki Mantis has developed two leg growths, on the underside of the knee joint. They're about 0.5mm in diameter and black. Has anyone seen these in old mantids (Tenodera sinensis).

Wondering whether to try a little surgery, or leave them alone?

Thanks,

Digger

 

[petoly]

black makes me automatically think of bacterial infection, or fungal growth. not sure though. you got a picture?

 

[ShieldMantid1997]

Nikki Mantis has developed two leg growths, on the underside of the knee joint. They're about 0.5mm in diameter and black. Has anyone seen these in old mantids (Tenodera sinensis).

Wondering whether to try a little surgery, or leave them alone?

Thanks,

Digger

I have an adult hierodula with this

 

[lancaster1313]

It might be dried hemolymph (bug blood). If you wipe at it with a moist swab and the swab looks greenish, then it probably is. I wouldn't do any surgery if it is ,and she is old. Maybe her joints are just going bad and the exoskeleton is cracking?

 

[Digger]

likebugs - I like the swab dabbing idea. I'll give that a go. Petoly - yes, I might try to get a macro shot.

She's been a little less mobile the last few days, and tonight she appears unusually tired and not holding on to (hands, plants, etc) very effectively. Hope I don't have to call Donohue's Funeral Parlor anytime soon. :mellow:

Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[Sticky]

How is she today? I hope she is better. Give her some honey if she will take it.

You can also try putting honey on the black spot after swabbing. It helped heal Fred's eyes after they were damaged during a molt. His face was pressed to the bottom of his container. He was still partly blinded but they healed nicely after molting again.

 

[RocknessMonster]

What I did for Hornet when she lost balance/ability to grip things, was put her in a cage lined with paper towels, they can crawl around and have some form of fun. It seemed to work for three weeks before she passed. I put a few things in there for her to climb on like a branch (no sharp edges) and a toilet paper roll covered in a napkin so they can climb on it.

 

[Digger]

Sticky,

Nikki has perked up a lot since Tuesday. It might have been crix. I began loading a new bunch with pulverized dry cat food (and oatmeal, apple). It may have not worked well fir the mantis. So I dumped the crix and began loading a new bunch without cat food. I liked the idea of cat food since it's fortizied with a lot of vitamins and minerals. Have seen others on forums using this stuff for gut loading. Regardless of the cause, she's more alert now. Rock - she's lost the strength to climb up and hang upside down on her critter cage. She still tries, of course. I used to use mesh screen for climbing. I really like your idea of paper towels (which I use as flooring). Easier on her old feet than screen. I'll put some up on the terrarium wall tonight. Sticky - honey is given to her regularly. I'll try it as a medication.

 

[RocknessMonster]

It was a great idea my mom actually came up with, I took these with my phone when she was alive and kicking.

I had her in a small tank at first,



That was her critter carrier, I kept her in there for a little bit until she became more adventurous, then my mom and I worked on this together

We tapped the sides down so she couldn't get stuck, it took a while but we did that and she loved it.



Also for the climber in them, I left her a couple branches without sharp edges and took some old toilet paper rolls and cut them in half.



Like that, I covered one in the napkins so it was comfy for her. If they get stuck at all they figure out to shift their weight and they can get off of it easily.

Also mist the napkins so there's texture for your little one to crawl on, easier for them to move around.

Edit:

Also whenever I had some extra time I'd take a napkin out and open it up so it'd make a huge square. She'd walk around and climb on little things for a bit.

 

[Sticky]

The pics are not showing.

 

[RocknessMonster]

Hmm try now :3

 

[gripen]

Still can't see them.

 

[RocknessMonster]

Okay got unlazy and did it the right way!

 

[Sticky]

They look good. Very nice setup!

 

[RocknessMonster]

Just do that for your little one, they'll love it!