My adult female laid a HUGE ooth a couple of weeks ago. The end of her abdomen was never the same. It was almost like she pushed too hard and her abdomen never close back up. It looked a little swollen right at the tip the abdomem.
After a couple of day I noticed that she was not defecating on a regular basis and she had some black crusty stuff at the end. I took a tooth pick and carefully removed the crusty stuff. It was like I unplugged something....a whole bunch of black goo just shot out. It was about the size of a green pea. This seemed like a lot even for an adult budwing.
She seemed to get better after that for a couple of days. She had been lethargic but actually ate again. Last night, I noticed the black, crusty stuff again and one of her back legs appeared to paralyzed. I removed the black, crusty stuff again and out came another bunch of black goo. I have moved her away from the rest of mantids. If she does not show any imprvement by tomrrow, I guess ill put her out of her misery :-(
After a couple of day I noticed that she was not defecating on a regular basis and she had some black crusty stuff at the end. I took a tooth pick and carefully removed the crusty stuff. It was like I unplugged something....a whole bunch of black goo just shot out. It was about the size of a green pea. This seemed like a lot even for an adult budwing.
She seemed to get better after that for a couple of days. She had been lethargic but actually ate again. Last night, I noticed the black, crusty stuff again and one of her back legs appeared to paralyzed. I removed the black, crusty stuff again and out came another bunch of black goo. I have moved her away from the rest of mantids. If she does not show any imprvement by tomrrow, I guess ill put her out of her misery :-(