Quick ?

[Mantisking]

This may sound dumb But am really new to Mantises, ummm Can you feed Mantises black ants? The mantises I have are still little ones =D. Please let me no just real curious I feed my Mantises Fruit Flys but just always wanted to no this thanks

 

[blitzmantis]

From what I've learnt about feeding mantids ants, you should only feed it one at a time as they could possibly swarm and kill your mantids...

 

[king_frog]

I presume the toxins in ants can be harmful. So it's best to stick to other foods. ( NOT ANTS :lol: )

 

[Mantida]

Don't feed your mantis ants.

I had a chinese nymph that caught a straggler ant one time when I put the nymph out on the countertop. I made it let go of the ant, but the damage was done - the nymph smelled weird and kept grooming, and died a few hours later.

There are toxic ants and non-toxic ones, but it's hard to tell the difference. Better safe than sorry.

 

[Andrew]

I've seen wild nymphs eating ants before, so it probably depends on the species. Best not to risk it unless you are extremely desperate.