Molting while hatching

[happy1892]

Mantids seem to molt after coming out of their oothecae. Should we call the thing we call the "First Molt" the second molt? This must be molting right? Here are videos of mantids hatching and watch them shedding their skin (molting?).

 

[happy1892]

 

[happy1892]

Maybe these guys shed their skin while they come out. There is skin where they came out of.

I made none of these videos.

 

[guapoalto049]

You are correct! This is why the correct way of describing a freshly hatched mantis as L2, since the mantid has completed the first molt. Many people (including myself many times) incorrectly use L1 to describe a mantis out of the ootheca.

 

[happy1892]

You are correct! This is why the correct way of describing a freshly hatched mantis as L2, since the mantid has completed the first molt. Many people (including myself many times) incorrectly use L1 to describe a mantis out of the ootheca.

Oh, so it is incorrect to call just hatched nymphs L1! But most people call them L1 so lets just call them L1 and tell people about this.

 

[Domanating]

Well, i first thought the freshly hatched nymphs should be called L0 and not L1, but then i came across this thread

 

[patrickfraser]

So people who are selling L2 nymphs are selling freshly hatched? It's my understanding that L2 comes after the first shed a week or so after hatching. I'm confused. I will continue with freshly hatched are L1 and after first molt is L2.

 

[happy1892]

So people who are selling L2 nymphs are selling freshly hatched? It's my understanding that L2 comes after the first shed a week or so after hatching. I'm confused. I will continue with freshly hatched are L1 and after first molt is L2.

Yes, that is the way all of the people I know do it. I would not like to change that way so lets count the age like we do.

Well, i first thought the freshly hatched nymphs should be called L0 and not L1, but then i came across this thread

I like 1 better because it seems like a beginning and L0 seems like it has never been but it is just that they never molted so it is counting by how many times they molt. If you like that way then it is good because they do seem to have molted one time when they are L1.

 

[dlemmings]

I always assumed L1 or 1st instar was fresh hatched and L-2 was after the next molt, many breeders will not ship until L2 which "implied" to me the next molt after hatching.

I believe I am not alone in this assumption.

 

[agent A]

They aren't shedding an exoskeleton though it's a protective membrane so they technically aren't molting lol

Or at least something like that lol not sure

 

[MantidLord]

Generally when people ship L2, they do not mean hatchlings. They mean L2, that is hatchlings that have molted. L1s or first instars are the hatchlings. Like angent A said, it's not technically the same as a molt. And to keep it less confusing, calling it L1 is best, because then you wonder what the heck is an L1.

Example, when Yen sent me L2 S. californicas, they had already molted once in captivity. They were in their second instar.

 

[happy1892]

I always assumed L1 or 1st instar was fresh hatched and L-2 was after the next molt, many breeders will not ship until L2 which "implied" to me the next molt after hatching.

I believe I am not alone in this assumption.

I wrote everybody I know counts like you do or used to do.

They aren't shedding an exoskeleton though it's a protective membrane so they technically aren't molting lol

Or at least something like that lol not sure

Oh, OK! They are not molting. I thought molting was anytime they were shedding skin. That stuff is skin right? And if what is it?

Generally when people ship L2, they do not mean hatchlings. They mean L2, that is hatchlings that have molted. L1s or first instars are the hatchlings. Like angent A said, it's not technically the same as a molt. And to keep it less confusing, calling it L1 is best, because then you wonder what the heck is an L1.

Example, when Yen sent me L2 S. californicas, they had already molted once in captivity. They were in their second instar.

Yes, that is right.