Orchid Mantis Not Eating?

[Shaun Young]

So, just 3 days ago, I bought a young orchid mantis from a reptile show. From what I’ve seen, she has not been eating at all whatsoever ? I’ve even put insects in front of her and she pushes them away. Is it possible that the insects I’m attempting to feed her are too large / small? I attempted to feed her a some fruit flies and also some crickets. 

Is it possible she is close to molting? If so, how would I know? She has not eaten in 3 days and I have seen no signs that she is about to molt

If anyone has any possible suggestions / ideas on what it possibly could be , please let me know? I’m quite worried since she hasn’t eaten in  3 days but still no sign of molting 

 

[Connor]

If she hasn't eaten in 3 days she should be molting soon. Do you know what instar it is?

 

[Shaun Young]

If she hasn't eaten in 3 days she should be molting soon. Do you know what instar it is?

No I’ve got no idea, I just got her the other day :/ if I was able to send you a picture would you be able to help me distinguish what it was

and also, is it possible I’m not feeding her the right size food? Perhaps the fruit flies are too small and the crickets too large?

i catched a fly larvae and she attemped 2 strikes at it so I put it in front of her again and she hasn’t tried at all since 

 

[Connor]

If you get some pictures with something to scale the orchid I can try and help find what instar and what sex although it's not easy for age. If u want to find out the gender take a pic of the back of the abdomen.

 

[Shaun Young]

If you get some pictures with something to scale the orchid I can try and help find what instar and what sex although it's not easy for age. If u want to find out the gender take a pic of the back of the abdomen.

Ok, will do when I get home tonight  

and also, is it possible I’m not feeding her the right size food? Perhaps the fruit flies are too small and the crickets too large?

i catched a fly larvae and she attemped 2 strikes at it so I put it in front of her again and she hasn’t tried at all since... is she hungry but weak?? I’m confused because every other time she’s tried to reject and run away from the food 

 

[Connor]

A pic will help lmk the size of the orchid

 

[Shaun Young]

A pic will help lmk the size of the orchid

She molted ! Is it ok to keep the flies in her container even though she has molted, or can they harm her?

 

[Connor]

They shouldn't be able to harm her, although you don't want flies in there while she IS molting. The flies can sometimes knock the mantis off their perch while molting.

 

[Shaun Young]

They shouldn't be able to harm her, although you don't want flies in there while she IS molting. The flies can sometimes knock the mantis off their perch while molting.

 

[Connor]

Looks to be L3-L4 imo. Not sure on gender.

 

[Shaun Young]

They shouldn't be able to harm her, although you don't want flies in there while she IS molting. The flies can sometimes knock the mantis off their perch while molting.

Do you know about how long after her molt it’ll be until she starts eating again?? She’s incredibly skinny 

 

[Shaun Young]

Looks to be L3-L4 imo. Not sure on gender.

Okay, thanks! It’s been less than a day sincerely her shed so I’m assuming she’s still not hungry, but it looks like the flies could be pretty large compared to her (they’re larger than her abdomen) but now, fruit flies are much to small for her ... any suggestion? Or will she be able to attack the fly despite it being more than half of her size 

 

[Shaun Young]

Looks to be L3-L4 imo. Not sure on gender.

here is a picture of my mantis side by side to a fly ...

 

[Connor]

It should be able to catch it. Mine was eating flies it's size although I have a girl lol

 

[Connor]

It should start eating in the next day or two