Poor Tenuk

[Digger]

Poor Tenuk.

Shes the Deroplatys lobata Vlodek sold me in September (or so). She did so well until her adult molt late Friday night.

Both front raptors are locked open and completely useless. It's pathetic to watch her try to eat (hand fed). What a shame.

I blame myself. She was in a 32 oz deli, but she hung from a leaf and didn't have enough room. Without use of both raptors she's a goner.

Probably freeze her tomorrow.

 

[patrickfraser]

What happened to her wings?

 

[Digger]

What happened to her wings?

I don't know.

 

[sally]

Sorry

 

[aNisip]

Sorry Digger

She doesnt't look adult. Im not saying that she isn't im just saying that other than her absence of wings, several of her morphological body shapes and sizes dont look adult too me. However if she is adult and the same mutation that didnt allow for her wings to develop may also be causing those awkward body shapes and sizes. Even her "mis-molted raptorials" could be linked to that same mutation that is to blame for the absence of wings. Interesting, but sad, sorry mate.

Cheers,
Andrew

P.S. If you do decide to freeze her, I may want her for display purposes (of course if you are okay with parting with her)

 

[dmina]

Sorry for your loss...

 

[Digger]

Sorry Digger

She doesnt't look adult. Im not saying that she isn't im just saying that other than her absence of wings, several of her morphological body shapes and sizes dont look adult too me. However if she is adult and the same mutation that didnt allow for her wings to develop may also be causing those awkward body shapes and sizes. Even her "mis-molted raptorials" could be linked to that same mutation that is to blame for the absence of wings. Interesting, but sad, sorry mate.

Cheers,

Andrew

P.S. If you do decide to freeze her, I may want her for display purposes (of course if you are okay with parting with her)

Andrew,

You know, I thought about that a little more after you and Patrick made the observation. I've never raised this species before and perhaps I'm jumping the gun. This would have been her L7 molt.

Even, by chance, this is not her adult molt, the matter is relatively moot. Without use of either raptor, she's out of luck. I mean I can hand feed her for a little while, but that will get a bit much after a while. You literally have to hold the prey with tweezers for however long it takes her to munch through.

If I was absolutely convinced this was not an adult, then I might consider the work of hand feeding until the next iteration.

Thanks!

 

[LAME]

I don't think she's an adult myself either Digger. I can't really tell from my phone but it looks like she's still got a final molt. I myself haven't owned the Malaysian yet but will be receiving an ooth soon.

-I'm sending you a pm.

 

[Sticky]

She's a subadult! Dont give up on her yet! I remember Hibiscussmile had a mantis that lost its arms. She would impale a bug on a nail so the mantis could eat on its own. Use crazy glue and put the pin or nail on a peice of cardboard. She can eat that way.

 

[LAME]

I seen that post as well, very clever engineering

 

[Digger]

She's a subadult! Dont give up on her yet! I remember Hibiscussmile had a mantis that lost its arms. She would impale a bug on a nail so the mantis could eat on its own. Use crazy glue and put the pin or nail on a peice of cardboard. She can eat that way.

What an excellent idea ! Consider it a project underway. Thanks Sticky.

 

[Sticky]

You are welcome!

 

[CosbyArt]

Good point Sticky about the thumbtack trick Hibiscussmile rigged, I read about it and forgot already.

Digger, let us know how Tenuk turns out

 

[PlayingMantis]

I'd say she is definitely not adult. She can still molt properly to adult if her legs are still usable and she can hang securely upside down. I've put down my fair share of mantids, and I'd say she doesn't look that bad.

Edit: Here's a pic of my adult female lobata - note how the shape of her shield is much wider, and she is around 3" in length.

 

[Krissim Klaw]

Yep, as others have already noted she doesn't look like an adult. This means if you are willing to put in the extra energy she has a chance at fixing the bulk of the damage in her next molt. Her back legs look pretty good as far as gripping for shedding. Good luck to you and your girl. =3

 

[Sticky]

How is she doing now Digger?

 

[Digger]

How is she doing now Digger?

Well, she's doing ok at the moment. When she eats, it sort of looks like a human trying to eat corn-on-cob with his elbows. I am skewering a mealworm onto a push pin - which is set through a piece of cardboard and sits at an angle. I then have to maneuver the cardboard assembly to 1. get Tunuk's attention and 2. get everything to stay in place while he attempts to eat it. It's a chore and requires all the patience I've got. But, for the moment, it seems to be working. Thanks to everyone who made suggestions here. They are a tremendous help!

 

[dmina]

Good Job... fingers crossed her next molt comes quickly...

 

[Sticky]

It might be good to talk to Rebecca, she could give you some pointers and insights from her experiences. I remember the name of her thread, "Look ma! No hands." The mantis was named Little Heat. I love that story!