mantis idol walking about and not eating

[Zelaael]

hello all

i don't know if this is the right section or i just worry over every little detail. i recently brought an orchid praying mantis.  he was an L4 and molted  10th November Saturday morning he molted into his adult form. oh he is small for a male too (about 2 mm under an inch) so on Monday i feed him a very small hopper.  he ate it and so on Friday i try again but did not want. so a couple of days ago i order more flies and try them too he slashed at one or two but to no effect not eating.so now he just a idly wandering around his enclosure atm.  so i know got a month or so to live but i am abit worry that all.

thank for you the help 

 

[Prayingmantisqueen]

I am not an Orchid person but from past experience with other species I know that males typically eat VERY little. They can go for a long time with little or no food. I am sure he will eat when he is ready. Dont worry tooo much! But it is good to be noticing and conscience.

 

[Zelaael]

ah thank you for information about that i will keep that in mind but there is flies in the enclosure so if hungry.

thank you

 

[ausar318]

I can confirm what @Prayingmantisqueen Says. I have two male orchids, and they eat a ridiculously small amount of food. I usually give them one small red runner roach every week. Even still, sometimes they don’t eat it for a few days. 

So there’s nothing to worry about. As long as they have the ability to get a piece of food, they will know when they want to eat it. If you are having trouble, or are just worried that thy aren’t getting enough food, you can always drop 4-5 D. Hydei fruit flies in for him, and he’ll probably gladly eat those. 

 

[Cole 78]

@ausar318 that's odd... I have an L2 orchid (not sure on sex) and it eats tons. It's abdomen reaches the point where it's above it's head in length! 

 

[ausar318]

@Cole 78

im talking about adult males. You’re right, nymphs do eat a ton. Even the male nymphs eat a good amount. But once they become adults, they pretty much stop eating altogether, except for the occasional morsel 

 

[Cole 78]

@Cole 78

im talking about adult males. You’re right, nymphs do eat a ton. Even the male nymphs eat a good amount. But once they become adults, they pretty much stop eating altogether, except for the occasional morsel 

Ah, that makes a ton more sense. Thanks!

 

[Zelaael]

ah thank you for all the information. i notice that a few of the flies are left so i put so more in ( open lid and  alot fell in ) but i he will find them lol.

thanks for the help

 

[Zelaael]

hello all

just to say he is eating a bunch of the flies. so i am  relief to see that.

and again thanks for the information and help

 

[MantisGirl13]

Good! I am so glad he is eating now!

- MantisGirl13

 

[Zelaael]

Oh  a strange question but do they walk on the ground? 

 

[MantisGirl13]

Yes, sometimes, but they spend most of their time climbing on branches or the lid of the cage.

- MantisGirl13

 

[Zelaael]

Ah ok thank you for information

 

[MantisGirl13]

Ah ok thank you for information

Sure, anytime!

- MantisGirl13