Reeeally Late molts

[sk8erkho]

I already know what Rick will say to this one, but I'm going to chance asking the question...I have had these two H.Grandis since like May and they hove only molted TWICE since I have had them. I was told that they get pretty large but they are only about 2 1/4" long right now. What, if anything would stop or at least dramatically slow down the time between molts? And when i first got them their appetites were viracious they'd eat like crazy. But the past two or so MONTHS they have slowed down to maybe a cricket and a half per week. I could see if it just started but it's been a while now with the slowed appetite.

PS Also, the male has this tear in his rear I wrote about on a previous thread and there is this bubble with a little hook on the end of it which gets caught on mesh or other materials or even the fine parts of vines. He has to tugg toget his butt aloose. My nephew says it's his "peetoo" sp. (sexual organ) I don't know what it is but everytime it gets caught on something it looks like it is or should be real painful, man! Anyway, Iing when the next molt happened his appendage would be repaired. So, I'm waiting for the next molt!!!!

 

[OGIGA]

Like someone Yen knows does, chop off a leg will slow them down.

 

[Morpheus uk]

Although its cruel and may cause a problems during shedding, also if an insect has to spend time regrowing a limb, it has less time to grow itself and ends up shorter, not as long lived and weaker

 

[Rick]

You may not like what I say sometimes but I say it because nobody can give you an accurate answer on these types of issues because we don't know why. What temps are you keeping them at? If they appear fine otherwise I don't see a need to worry.

 

[Hypoponera]

While "elective surgery" will slow growth down, there are other ways as well. As rick mentioned/asked, temp is important. Growth will be much slower if you keep your mantids in a cool location. So it is possible you may need to provide a better heat source if you want faster growth. Try to keep them at about 80-85F. But faster growth also results in faster death by old age.

It is possible that your mantid is dragging around his "sexual organs". But if that is the case, then he is an adult and will not molt again. As an adult, his appitite will be much reduced from when he was a nymph. Can you post a photo?

 

[OGIGA]

I can't remember which guide I read, but whoever wrote it said that cooling down the male and feeding him less will/may sterilize him. I don't know if it's true because I never tried. Anyone want to testify for or against this?

 

[Precious]

You may not like what I say sometimes but I say it because nobody can give you an accurate answer on these types of issues because we don't know why. What temps are you keeping them at? If they appear fine otherwise I don't see a need to worry.

This is the first think I thought of, in fact your injured animal may not make it at all. Why injure another, if that's what you're proposing...I'm not making sense of it all. I'd jam up the temperature, careful not to dry out, digestion will go quickly, metabolic processes speed up so he should eat more. Turn up the heat.

 

[sk8erkho]

Did not say I did not "like" what Rick says, just said I had a feeling what he "would" say but decided to ask anyway!!! :mellow: Anyway, one of them has what looks like an organ to me hanging from his behind where the skin is obviously torn. It's a little clear/greenish bubble with a little brown hook on the end of it. This little dude actually looks like he's growing out of his skin but will not or can not "molt" out. This is the reason for the post. I was wondering if there was something more I could do to help induce molting? (If that makes sense??!!)

I know the image is a bit dark but the lower left part of his butt is what I am writing about.

 

[Hypoponera]

Nice photos! Your mantid is NOT going to molt again. Those are wings that are visible on the top surface of the abdomen. He is an adult, and he is ready to "get it on"! That organ you see is a spermatophor. It will remain in the female after mating. Do you have an adult female? Being an adult male also means that his appitite is no where near what it used to be.

 

[ismart]

I had a few male mantids with that problem before. They tend to get dehydrated quicker with there backside being open like that. Some died in a few days others lived regular lives but were unable to mate after trying at least ten or more times from my experience. Make sure his poop does not get stuck to his back side and harden other wise he could end up with an infection or become backed up.

I got a pretty good story. One time i had a male carolina mantid with the same problem you have his sex organs were hanging out and the hook at the end would get caught on the mesh and sticks in his cage. One day i came home from work i went to go check on him and to my surprise the hook at the end was somehow wraped around and was stuck in his neck. It took me awhile to unhook him. It looked so painful i wish i had a pic but he did survive his ordeal.

 

[sk8erkho]

Wow. That's really weird because he only molted like three times since I got him and he was a nymph when I bought him and had yet to molt. Oh well. Anyway, yes I do have an adult female but she keeps freaking him out with threatening postures and attacks. :mellow: Once I had the tank with a separator in the middle for the two of them and when I went to feed them I noticed he was staring at her in a weid kind of posture like ready to jet at any moment. <_< When I got a little lower and looked at the tank he could see her and viceverse. She was in that threat posture with her arms all up and what not and before I knew it she kind of swung at him but was unable to get him through the partition. :angry: Poor little guy started running around the tank and when I went to rescue him to give him a break he flew right out of the tank, onto my locks, and ran to the top of my head where my little man (nephew) said, he was staring right at the tank where she was and looking or leaning from side to side looking for her to come "kill him!!!!" And to this day it's the same way with them. Everytime she sees him she throws those arms up and he know Exactly what that means. SO, I don't see how I could possibly mate the two if she doesn't get some mantid Prozac or something to chill her out!!! What do I do about this. I feel kind of bad for the little guy all he wants is a chance to get things right with her!!

And, his little thing gets caught on mesh and vines and twigs and stuff too!! So, I'm careful in unhooking him as not to pull that thing out!! OUCH!!