New mantis owner from herts, uk

[Lalapink]

Hi, I am Mrs.Houeland. a plant enthusiast. Recently I am into mantis and leaf insects. now I have a baby asian mantis. It’s my first mantis. I don’t know how long it’s going to live because I haven’t feed it for 5 days already. Cause my fruit flies still haven’t arrive yet. I should have it before next Tuesday thought. Right now I just give it water by spraying it’s enclosure. Here is a photo of him/her. 

 

[MantisGirl13]

Welcome to the forum! Please get a smaller, plastic cage with mesh fabric on the lid. That cage is way too big and doesn't have enough ventilation for your mantis. Just a couple thin sticks and paper towel substrate is all it needs. Feed it as soon as your fruit flies arrive. 

- MantisGirl13

 

[Lalapink]

Welcome to the forum! Please get a smaller, plastic cage with mesh fabric on the lid. That cage is way too big and doesn't have enough ventilation for your mantis. Just a couple thin sticks and paper towel substrate is all it needs. Feed it as soon as your fruit flies arrive. 

- MantisGirl13

Thank you mantisgirl. I have a smaller box for it. And I can buy some mesh to make the lid. How small the mesh holes should be to avoid fruit fly to escape and give my mantis enough ventilation ? If I can’t cut the side of the box. Is it ok to just have a mesh lid ? 

 

[MantisGirl13]

I would suggest cutting out the middle of the lid and replacing it with mesh. Ventilation is essential. Use a fine mesh to prevent fruit fly escapes. 

- MantisGirl13

 

[Mantis Lady]

welcome

I hope your mantis get some food soon.

 

[hibiscusmile]

Welcome, put out some rotting fruit in your jar so fruit flies can get in. 

 

[hibiscusmile]

Can't you find anything outside or pet store to get some kind of food?

 

[hysteresis]

Hello @Lalapink!

Welcome welcome!

Did you get your asian some food yet?

Give us an update!

 

[Lalapink]

Thank you everyone. I finally get the fruit fly on Saturday. I feed him/her once, then it stop eating since Sunday. It just moult today. My poor fruit fly all die. I am going to buy some new one. Does anyone know how to keep fruit flies stay alive longer ? 

 

[Lalapink]

mantisgirl suggest I change to a smaller home for it. So, that’s where I keep it now. What do you think? 

 

[Budwing]

Welcome.

The enclosure is better than the last one. Still a bit big but your mantis will grow into it. Just make sure that its feeding and finding the flies. As for the fruitflies make your own cultures, its too expensive to be forking out  for cultures that are probabaly half dried out. A couple of old coffee jars with a hole in the lid will hold them and cover the lid with a cloth, make up 2 or 3 at a time. Try youtube for making homemade cultures, also there's plenty information on here. Pick the simplest one to make.