wing buds 'lift up' and get fatter, and thorax looks fuller, and abdomen bobs back and forth, much more than usual. why do they do that; is it to suck in air into some sort of air sack to help them to push out of the skin? The abdomen is definitely bloated with air just after they moult. whatever the reason, they seem to do it with greater intensity as they get nearer to moult. this is in my heirodulas at least.
my idolomantis, just before they moulted (always upside down) used to wave the front legs as if they were reaching down to feel if there was enough room to moult. maybe cos they have very short antennae. both kinds seem to 'pull' on the hind claws without releasing grip, immediately before moulting like they are testing if they are gripping ok. they also seem to shift their legs into a special moulting posture.
