mantis trying to eat itself?

[erin]

Hi there
First time mantis owner here. My timor shield mantis (rhombodera kirbyi) grabbed its abdomen with both forelimbs and started to eat it as though it were prey! I managed to prize him off himself. I've had it since January (its about L5). Any info/advice appreciated!

Thank you!

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[Introvertebrate]

Are you sure it wasn’t just grooming?

 

[hibiscusmile]

how r u feeding it?

 

[erin]

how r u feeding it?

small hoppers or fruit flies, and i hold them with tongs, he last ate 2 days ago.

 

[erin]

sorry for bad images - i dont know if you can see but his abdomen has gone a weird shape. his right eye has also gone a funny colour but i dont know if thats just because its sunny? hes just not looking his usual self

 

[Synapze]

It's time to move to larger prey. At L5 it should be eating blue bottle flies. I would avoid using wild caught grass hoppers as a main staple because there is a risk of parasites/pesticides. This may not have anything to do with the current issue, but it's worth mentioning.

 

[TheWolven]

That is an oddly shaped abdomen. There's a chance he may be sick.

 

[erin]

It's time to move to larger prey. At L5 it should be eating blue bottle flies. I would avoid using wild caught grass hoppers as a main staple because there is a risk of parasites/pesticides. This may not have anything to do with the current issue, but it's worth mentioning.

They're not wild caught don't worry! I buy them from a bug food supplier (Monkfield). So yeah, I think he's sick but I'm not sure what to do with him now. I've heard things about feeding honey from a cotton bud, is this something i should try? thanks

 

[TheWolven]

They're not wild caught don't worry! I buy them from a bug food supplier (Monkfield). So yeah, I think he's sick but I'm not sure what to do with him now. I've heard things about feeding honey from a cotton bud, is this something i should try? thanks

Honey has anti-bacterial properties yes, but they're not going to help with a mantis that's trying to eat himself.

 

[erin]

Honey has anti-bacterial properties yes, but they're not going to help with a mantis that's trying to eat himself.

i think he may have an infection unfortunately this was him today. he is just so lethargic. if he continues like this, is the most humane thing to do just to put him in the freezer?

 

[TheWolven]

i think he may have an infection unfortunately this was him today. he is just so lethargic. if he continues like this, is the most humane thing to do just to put him in the freezer? View attachment 20958View attachment 20957

Dude, he looks terrible. I would just give him a sip of water and place him in the freezer. There's no coming back from that.

 

[Synapze]

Dude, he looks terrible. I would just give him a sip of water and place him in the freezer. There's no coming back from that.

I agree.