Not enough humidity?

[mantisfan101]

One of my double shields is in the classic molting posture and I was excited until I realized that I had only misted her last night and it looks like most of the moisture’s gone...what do I do? The room humidity is around 51% and I’m not sure if this is enough to allow her to molt successfully; is there anything that I cam do to help her?

 

[mantisfan101]

Ok I tried peeking in on her and she turned to look at me, then proceeded to just move her mouthparts. I’m not entirely sure if she’s going to molt now but it seems like maybe not, but now she’s back to the stereotypical molting posture. Will she molt or no? I find that for these guys, trying to tell what that specific molting posture is seems to be rather difficult. 

 

[mantisfan101]

Update, tried feeding her today and surprisingly enough she took the roach, even though she’s quite plump. Could she have had a slipped molt? Does anyone know what a slipped molt looks like?

 

[Tonypace2009]

The most important thing is that mantid is well hydrated before molting. Higher humidity just gives them longer to get out of old exoskeleton by slowing drying time with some species very beneficial. just make sure mantis has good molting surface and plenty of room.also best to have easy climbing surface up to molting surface especially as mantid increases in size. If your mantid was able to catch roach doubt it's skin had started to separate they start Loosing mobility as molt progress untill they slide out of old exoskeleton  and properly harden.

 

[mantisfan101]

I checked on her and her skin seems much more stressed out and I can see some white stuff in between her abdominal segments. She also consistently enters the typical molting posture but she never manages to complete the molt. I’m really getting concerned right now as this is one of the only 2 females I have left. 

 

[Tonypace2009]

I checked on her and her skin seems much more stressed out and I can see some white stuff in between her abdominal segments. She also consistently enters the typical molting posture but she never manages to complete the molt. I’m really getting concerned right now as this is one of the only 2 females I have left. 

At this point if she is hanging there isn't much to do but wait. They start molt right behind there head then start siding out. Up till the time of molt she should start pulsating her abdamon to get it to expand moving or disturbing her at this time could cause her to fall and she most likly wont be able to hang. So pretty much have to sit back and wait.