Missing tarsus

[Termite48]

I tried to mate my Violin Adult female this morning and the two males which were the prospective courters were each deficient in the same way. I noticed that one is missing both right and left tarsi. This makes it difficult to do anything mantid -like. It cannot climb properly and surely cannot feed properly and perhaps lastly it most likely cannot cling to a female during the mating act. The other younger male is missing one (the right) tarsi and it also is hindered when climbing vertically. I keep these mantids in net cages. Is there a phenomenon noticed by any of your Forum members that links the net cage to tarsi getting caught in the mesh?

 

[angelofdeathzz]

Yes I think net cages are fine for pre-subs and less but not for the final molt or two, many have said the larger breeds hurt there feet in them, I don't use them ever, I like glass and sticks or fake flora.

 

[psyconiko]

Violin males are fragile,their legs tend to wear a bit more than other species.I had less problems using cork as wall or styrofoam instead of screen mesh.Never seen any one caught in the mesh though.

Put a lot of twigs and branches(dried bamboo twigs are best),your male should be able to hang on the female to mate.

Anyway Gongylus dont move that much,and they should get use to their "dishabilities".

.Dont heat too much,give them water(Gongy males like to drink sometimes) and lots of light.

Good luck!

 

[Colorcham427]

Rich, if this is the female I just sent you? She has been bred multiple times, and I would try to keep the white phase's man juice in her just in case the other males mixing (even if this is possible?!) might effect the out come?!

 

[Rick]

It often happens as a mantis gets up there in age. Also, some surfaces cause them to become caught and broken off.

 

[Termite48]

Yes to Brian to clarify as of today it does involve the new Violin you sent to me. I actually came just at the moment when the adult female Violin's tarsus was caught in the mesh and she had pulled on it so strongly that when I helped her out, she had done it. She dislocated the raptorial leg from the last joint so now it is worthless for grasping. This means she has to master eating and climbing with just one side working. I know this can hurt her longevity as the catching of prey is not going to be as effective, nor as vigorous as it was. I always enjoy hand feeding. So now my new programs is mesh nets for the young, when they do not seems to get caught and then I will go to glass for the adults. There might be a way to modify the net cage to minimize the reliance of the adult on the mesh as was suggested in Nick's post.