Mismolts happen in the wild too

[Rick]

Well just the wings in this case. I rarely see this kind of thing, but it does happen. Always amazes me mantids can molt perfectly in the wild yet we often have trouble in captivity.

 

[CoolMantid]

I had a mismolt the other day with one of my ghosts. The little guy died. But I mist the cage the night before and woke up to him on the floor dead. Is it just me or does it look like and animal tore apart those wings???

 

[dlemmings]

I agree, it would seem that we provide optimum conditions for thier health in captivity and would see less mismolts.

However I think the total survival rate is higher in the hobby and there would be mismolts in the wild (rain wind predetors etc.) but they go unnoticed as they are not in enclosures.

 

[Rick]

I agree, it would seem that we provide optimum conditions for thier health in captivity and would see less mismolts.

However I think the total survival rate is higher in the hobby and there would be mismolts in the wild (rain wind predetors etc.) but they go unnoticed as they are not in enclosures.

Good point considering that only a few live to adulthood. But then again I am surprised by the numbers of perfectly molted adults I have found over the years.

 

[aNisip]

Well Rick they could be perfect adults bc the mismolts caused those individuals their death and therefore never saw them, therefore only saw healthy adults...this one's mismolt just wasn't detremental enough to kill it...you know what I mean?

 

[Termite48]

Taking into consideration possible harsh environmental conditions, predation, and the number of molts to adult, it is mriaculous that mantids continue to thrive. Then add the matter of pesticide use, it truly is amazing.

Thanks Rick, for sharing this pic and finding!

 

[Mime454]

I'd imagine that the mismolt rate is similar if not higher in the wild. We just don't see deformed mantids because they have died.

 

[CoolMantid]

mime, you bring up a good point. Its is completely possible the wild mantids have similar mismolt rates to captive one but we just cant find the bodies because there dead. Very interesting perspective I must say

 

[Malakyoma]

makes you wonder how mantid species who's ooth hatches 10-30 babies are still going. maybe 1 or 2 of those babies make it to adulthood with how many things they have to fight to make it, and yet they still exist.

 

[MandellaMandy123]

I'd imagine that the mismolt rate is similar if not higher in the wild. We just don't see deformed mantids because they have died.

That's what I've always thought too. I saw a wild wing mismolt one time. I think worse mismolts than that always die in the weeds somewhere and we don't find them.

 

[Rick]

Well Rick they could be perfect adults bc the mismolts caused those individuals their death and therefore never saw them, therefore only saw healthy adults...this one's mismolt just wasn't detremental enough to kill it...you know what I mean?

That's what I said. Still it amazes me so many DO make it with perfect wings and all.

 

[MandellaMandy123]

It is pretty amazing, but still if you think about it with all those mantids that hatch from the ooth, only a few make it to adulthood. But there are lots of things that kill mantids other than mismolts, and you'd expect to see more wing mismolts.