pulsating abdomen

[kevinr]

Today i noticed the abdomen on my mantis was pulsating, as though he was breathing. What does this mean? I noticed a similar thing on one of the crickets I put in his enclosure, and that moulted, so could I take this as an indication of my manyid preparing to moult?

 

[Rick]

It is not an indication of moulting. Insects draw air into holes called spiracles in order to breathe. Thats what the pulsating is for. They are always doing it.

 

[kevinr]

cheers Rick I'd never noticed it before, it was a little strange to see

 

[Rick]

Usually you can barely tell they're doing it but if they get excited or something the pulsating increases.

 

[Butterfly]

I noticed that with my Mantis Religiosa, it'd get moving like crazy especially when she'd eat. I didnt know what it was at first I just figured that was her digesting or something lol.