Need a bit of advice with Rhombodera sp. Nymphs.

[sbugir]

Hey,

I've had these little guys for almost 2 weeks, and I've been having a wee bit of trouble. After arriving with 15, and ending up with 8 (mimolts at L1, it's expected), I'm still ending up with molting issues. At the moment, I've had another three mismolts. Thankfully they look like they'll be okay (Some have lost a few legs :S). I know a lot of mantids in the younger stages do mismolt, and I am concerned if I am doing anything wrong. I'd like to know if I can do anything to prevent anymore mismolts.

At the moment my setup pretty much is listed like this:

2 nymphs per 16 oz container, separated by a piece of cardboard wrapped in paper for climbing.

I have 4 of these containers sitting under a 75 watt heat lamp 2' above. This gives a temperature from 80-86 degrees.

I spray twice a day, and feed every 2 days.

Ventilation is a 2-3inch hole with panty hose hotglued to the lid so no D. mels escape.

Paper towel is being used as a substrate.

If anyone who has kept Rhomboderas could give me a bit of advice, it is much appreciated .

I'm thinking that either temperature is too high, or I'm not spraying enough.

Thanks,

Lemmiwinks

Oh, PS every nymph is at L3 so I'm assuming they should "stabilize". But I'd like to know if my setup is okay.

 

[ismart]

Is the paper towel substrate kept wet? The problem would seem to be that the humidity is not high enough. Mine are kept at 80 to 90% humidity. The temp you are keeping them in, is fine.

 

[sbugir]

Yes, the paper towel is kept wet as well. Ambient humidity is low as it is (about 30-40 here in CO). However when I spray, and when under the heat lamp, I can usually get around 80% humidity.

It bothers me. Every other species I have is fine under my set up except for these guys.

Massaman:

Humidity does need to be high, and a net cube for these guys is definitely not going to happen for the amount I've lost. These fellas are very cannibalistic.

As for the enclosures, these guys are tiny as it is. Until they're around L5, they'll still have plenty of room.

I still keep my L6 budwings in 16oz containers, and they still have 3-4x their height in space

 

[ismart]

The only problem is keeping that 80% humidity going constantly. When i first started out with this species i had the same problem with mismoults. Now i have devised a way to keep the humidity constantly high. I have my Rhombodera sp. nymphs in 32oz cups with 3 sheets of wet bounty paper towel as sustrate. I use netting to cover the top of the cup held tight by rubber bands. Over the netting i place plastic wrap tightend by more rubber bands. I poke pin size holes in the plastic wrap. This keeps the humidity at a constant 80 to 90% humidity. The only draw back to this method is bad ventilation, but this species seems to do fine in low/bad ventilation. I cant remember the last time i had a mismoult with this species, using this method.

 

[sbugir]

The only problem is keeping that 80% humidity going constantly. When i first started out with this species i had the same problem with mismoults. Now i have devised a way to keep the humidity constantly high. I have my Rhombodera sp. nymphs in 32oz cups with 3 sheets of wet bounty paper towel as sustrate. I use netting to cover the top of the cup held tight by rubber bands. Over the netting i place plastic wrap tightend by more rubber bands. I poke pin size holes in the plastic wrap. This keeps the humidity at a constant 80 to 90% humidity. The only draw back to this method is bad ventilation, but this species seems to do fine in low/bad ventilation. I cant remember the last time i had a mismoult with this species, using this method.

I might try that, then cut a hole in the side and plug it with some foam.

 

[Rick]

The lamp may be drying things out too fast. Unless your room is very cold then you don't need a heat lamp. I found this species to be very easy. I just misted every few days and kept at room temperature.

 

[sbugir]

The lamp may be drying things out too fast. Unless your room is very cold then you don't need a heat lamp. I found this species to be very easy. I just misted every few days and kept at room temperature.

That's exactly what I'm thinking. I'll keep them at room temperature and see how things go. I'll switch them with my D.Ds and see how things go :S

 

[Rick]

Well since you live in CO your room temperatures may be colder than mine. So a lower wattage lamp may be needed.

 

[Katnapper]

Higher humidity is the key, especially if you use a heat lamp.

 

[sbugir]

In a short three days, everyone has molted again I brought them to room temperature, and they seem to be doing much better as no one has lost any limbs . The D.ds seem to be enjoying the heat :lol:

 

[Katnapper]

I don't add any extra heat to the Rhomboderas in the bug room. But I do keep the bug room at around 80 degrees with the help of a room/space heater. I just make sure to mist this species more.