Molting Problems.

[pondscum]

Well, I've had a few mantids die because of bad molts lately. 2 out of my 9 died while trying to molt to L3. So I tried increasing the humidity, but now another is molting and he is molting on the ground. Now his legs are stuck in the old skin. What should I do? I tried carefully pulling him free, but it won't come off. Thanks for any ideas.

-Scum

 

[pedro92]

Well, I've had a few mantids die because of bad molts lately. 2 out of my 9 died while trying to molt to L3. So I tried increasing the humidity, but now another is molting and he is molting on the ground. Now his legs are stuck in the old skin. What should I do? I tried carefully pulling him free, but it won't come off. Thanks for any ideas.-Scum

Well what species. How big is container.

 

[pondscum]

Well, he died last night. I got him out of his old skin, but none of his legs were working right. Then he just died. And to answer your question, I think he was a chinese mantis.

 

[Rick]

If they get stuck most of the time there is nothing you can do.

 

[OGIGA]

If he's still in the middle of molting, you can tape the ends of the (old) legs and hang the tape somewhere. It's worked for me before. B)

 

[scum, too lazy to log in]

Well, I had tried pinning him up by his old skin, that didn't work either. But if it happens again that does seem like a good method to use. Thank you all for your input.

-Scum

 

[The_Asa]

Don't be discouraged if they don't moult well. If all the species that died moulting were chinese, that's quite typical. The chinese species generally are more susceptible to that.