Missing Body Parts

[LLCoolJew]

I'm confused. How can my mantis be perfectly healthy and intact one minute, and the next day be missing some key anatomy?

My adult female idolomantis diabloica is suddenly missing its tarsus/hand, which went MIA out of nowhere.

My Hierodula multispina nymph has mysteriously lost an antennae.

######?

 

[CoolMantid]

My ghost mantis once ate its front leg. It was because of a mismolt. Have you found the mssing parts lying around?

 

[agent A]

How old is the idolomantis? Are u sure the hierodula nymph doesn't just have the antenna hidden from view? Mine do this a lot and it can look like the antenna is missing, also back to the idolomantis, ive seen gongies get tarsi caught in the cage netting and then it breaks off, maybe that happened to the idolo

 

[gripen]

+1!!!!

 

[crucis]

if the cage netting / cage furnishings aren't to blame... do you keep relatively large feeder insects inside with the mantis?

i've found that aggressive feeders (especially larger crickets) can really pack a punch. Tarsal injuries are common when a mantis tackles prey that have powerful mandibles of their own. Damage to the antennae can't be ruled out either... Plus I've heard from this forum that crickets might actually try to EAT a mantis that's too full to be interested in it

 

[LLCoolJew]

Yeah, I had a Cilnia chew off her own leg because of an infection once, but I don't think this is the case with the Idolo. She's an adult (5mo. onld?), and I do not put in any other feeders than BB flies. She's a bad ######, and I can't imagine she's let one of them gnaw off her tarsus. I haven't seen it laying around yet, but I haven't really looked, either. It would bum me out

The hierodula multispina nymph has only been fed fruit flies, and I can't imagine them doing much damage, either. But she (the mantis) does have a tiny black dot on her forehead where the antennae was located, so I wonder if that could be an infection. I found some mold growing in her enclosure, and switched out the moss. I've been spraying her with anti-fungal bug stuff, and hope that she'll be alright.

Thanks for the feedback, though. Was just curious if these kinds of things happen often, or if I have some body snatchers sneaking into my apartment. These kinds of things happen in San Francisco.

 

[ismart]

Missing tarsi can happen quite a few ways.

1. old age, drying out, and snapping off.

2. getting caught on something, and breaking off.

3. Eating it. could be from infection.

4. Miss molt.

5. feeder insect biting it off.

These are all i can think of off the top of my head.

The same can go for missing antenna.

 

[LLCoolJew]

Thanks, iSmart. Sadly, it is the nymph that you gave me who is missing it's antennae. Sorry!!!!!!!!!!

 

[crucis]

Yup, those flies aren't a concern cuz they can't chew if their lives depended upon it (which it no doubt did)

Guess u got to be extra sure there isn't anything in the enclosure that part of your mantis could get snagged on. As long as its enclosure is clean, don't worry about your nymph's head, the dark spot probably means you can look forward to some regeneration by the next moult

 

[ismart]

Thanks, iSmart. Sadly, it is the nymph that you gave me who is missing it's antennae. Sorry!!!!!!!!!!

NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :lol:

That nymph is only L4. It should fully regenerate before it reaches adulthood.

 

[angelofdeathzz]

Roy lost the tarsi almost surely by snagging her claw in the screen top of the Exo Terra, it happens when striking at a fly sometimes when their older. Is it gone from the joint on or is there still some left?

She will still catch prey with one claw if thats the case.

Sounds like you maybe need a fresh baby or two? You know I got your back when ever your ready Girl.

 

[angelofdeathzz]

Wait a minute, missing tarsi, missing antennae, these are some clear signs that you are "PIT FIGHTING" your mantis, aren't you?

 

[Rick]

That's because it is an Idolomantis. It probably got caught and then broke off.

 

[Precarious]

EVERY adult Idolo will loss the tips of claws and feet over time, sooner rather than later if they're given the wrong surfaces to grip. Sux but it seem there is nothing to be done about it short of keeping them wild-style on real plants.