Mantids are dying!

[Oli]

HI, can anyone help me, i am keeping my baby chinese mantids in a fairly large well heated container with loads of fruit flys, but loads (75%) have died, what am i doing wrong?

 

[Chris Dickie]

what kind of tank do you have them in?

is there much ventilation?

how often are you spraying them?

They do have a reasonably high mortality rate but I don't think it should be this high, if you can answer these questions we may be able to pinpoint a reason/reasons

 

[Oli]

i have them in a small geo tank covered with mesh to stop escapees, there is quite good ventilation and i spray once a week.

 

[Guest]

Don't worry oli, with Dickie on your case, you are sure to get it sorted?! Got in contact with the BHS by the way chris, should be making a purchase from em soonish, cheers.

Ian

 

[shadownet]

I have no clue.I'm new at this also.My e-mail is [email protected] if you have any other questions i'll try to answer them....If I can....

 

[Chris Dickie]

the only thing I can think of is that once a week may not be often enough for a "well heated" container as the high temperature will evaporate the water very quickly, for example I have oothecae and some nymphs in a warm area and I am having to spray once or twice daily to keep it reasonably humid as it dries out within a few hours

 

[Rick]

You should lightly mist them everyday. Really no need to heat the container. It should be fine at room temperature. A lot of them will die no matter how well you take care of them.

 

[shadownet]

Yeah more water....By what they say...I really just don't know....

 

[Ian]

Also, if it is an american originated spp, like the ooth was, then there is going to be a higher mortality rate than a creo or a mio for instance. Tenodera also need a lot of room, and I had the same problem until I split mine up, say 20 to 1 net cage, and they appear to be fine now.

Cheers,

Ian

 

[Oli]

Thanks guys, shoyld be able to keep my next lot and the survivors alive now!