Not eating but not molting

[CindyAlexander]

My Chinese mantis is an L3 and his last molt was December 24th which was 17 days ago. He stopped eating about 4 days ago and squirms and rocks back and forth but is not showing exterior signs of a molt. Hes not hanging upside down either. There are fruit flies in his enclosure but he wants nothing to do with them. I'm keeping his environment moist but not totally wet. 

Can a pre molt period last this long? Thank you for any input. 

 

[hysteresis]

I'd let water tension suspend some droplets of water to drink from the underside mesh. That aside, I don't think you should worry at all.

I have a female M. caffra nymph that's looong overdue. She's still eating and drinking. Im freaking out, but she's pretty chill.

 

[CindyAlexander]

Thank you for the encouragement. Funny how we're like new born moms! 

 

[Mantis Lady]

Sometimes it can take more time to prepare. My H. masjuscula female molted 2 weeks later than the male. The previous time there was a day between their molts. Your female knows when it is time to molt

Wondering how much time will be when my female will molt after the male. The male molted 2 days ago.

 

[MantisGirl13]

Your mantis should be fine. Good luck with the molt!

- MantisGirl13

 

[CindyAlexander]

Thanks everyone. He/she, Georgie, molted shortly after and did fine and is now an L4. When I was finished with those bead-eyed fruit flies we graduated to baby crickets. Georgie ate probably 5 in a few days! 

 

[Mantis Lady]

gratz on the molt

 

[hysteresis]

I love waking up, or coming home from work, to find one of my babies freshly molted. By babies I mean mantis nymphs, because my sons....

 

[PowerHobo]

I love waking up, or coming home from work, to find one of my babies freshly molted. By babies I mean mantis nymphs, because my sons....

Freshly molted children does sound like some special type of horror. 

 

[MantisGirl13]

Awesome! Gratz on the molt! 

By babies I mean mantis nymphs, because my sons....

Freshly molted children does sound like some special type of horror. 

Lol  

- MantisGirl13