Should I remove fruit fly before my mantis molts

[Kris02]

Just got my first mantis today and I put three or four fruit flies in her enclosure. She hasn't eaten any yet but I'm wondering if I need to remove them when she molts. Also, how will I know when she's ready to molt? 

She's an l2 ghost mantis

 

[hysteresis]

Unless you have the date of it's last molt, behaviour is the only way. It should start picking out the ff pretty much right away.

What are you keeping it in? 

 

[Kris02]

Unless you have the date of it's last molt, behaviour is the only way. It should start picking out the ff pretty much right away.

What are you keeping it in? 

I'm keeping it in a mason jar currently, it is many times taller and wider than the mantis. It also has twigs, dirt, moss, and a cloth cover. If you need a picture lmk

I ordered it online so it's been in transit for the past couple days. Is it possible it just needs some time to settle? It's abdomen doesn't look super flat so I guess it ate before being shipped?

 

[hysteresis]

Yes give it time to settle. Mist it lightly (dont soak it, wetness isn't the same as humidity) , and make sure you provide ventilation. A guideline I've heard is min 2 sq inches of mesh, burlap, fiber paper, or tulle fabric.

Feeding hydei, you'll want tulle, or fiber paper, to keep them inside.

The problem with a big enclosure is that it is harder to hunt. Prey density. A smaller cup that is sufficient for it to live in keeps prey closer.

I use untreated cotton pads as a substrate to hold humidity, releasing it slowly. 

For scale, here is how I keep my L4 ghosts. All small nymphs, actually. 

 

[Kris02]

Yes give it time to settle. Mist it lightly (dont soak it, wetness isn't the same as humidity) , and make sure you provide ventilation. A guideline I've heard is min 2 sq inches of mesh, burlap, fiber paper, or tulle fabric.

Feeding hydei, you'll want tulle, or fiber paper, to keep them inside.

The problem with a big enclosure is that it is harder to hunt. Prey density. A smaller cup that is sufficient for it to live in keeps prey closer.

I use untreated cotton pads as a substrate to hold humidity, releasing it slowly. 

For scale, here is how I keep my L4 ghosts. All small nymphs, actually. 

The left is what she's currently in. Would the container to the right be better for her? Thanks a ton

 

[hysteresis]

Yes. Really, when they're this small, you're better off in a very small cup.

As they go through their instars, you'll see they don't really start to take off in size until L5/L6 or so.

While the big cups please us, they're better off in small cups.

You've done a great job tho. You might consider a smaller feeding cup just for feedings, and let them hang the rest of the time in whatever you want them to stay in. 

 

[hysteresis]

Oh yeah!

Put in way more hydei. If it's going for them.

Remember, in a larger cup you'll need prey density. Try 15 or 20.

It wont get them all in cups that size, bit it'll be able to take what it needs.

If its not interested, take them out. I'd probably leave them though.

Hydei end up settling down, and eventually drop dead within a day / day and a half.

If you suspect a molt is coming,  make sure it has enough to drink. Spray the lid fabric. 

 

[Kris02]

My mantis actually ended up molting sometime last night. When would it be safe to feed and touch her again? I'm not sure what time she shed and I haven't been able to check if she misshed or anything since she's so little and I can't see her well in the jar.

 

[hysteresis]

My mantis actually ended up molting sometime last night. When would it be safe to feed and touch her again?

It's likely your mantis wont be interested in feeding today.

Handling is subjective. If you're extremely careful, she can climb onto your hand, or a stick, etc. Give it some hours first though to be safe.

 I'm not sure what time she shed and I haven't been able to check if she misshed or anything since she's so little and I can't see her well in the jar.

Can you see it at all? Now you have a great example of the benefit of a smaller nymph cup.

If it fell during the molt, even immediately after sliding out of its exuvia, its unlikely it could climb back up. Shed be a crumpled mess at the bottom. Sometimes they're able to climb up a bit, but its still not pretty.

Sometimes they mismolt and dont get out of their exuvia. This youd be able to see right away too.

Let us know.

 

[hysteresis]

The safest answer is if it molted correctly, leave it alone for the day.

If it got out of its molt and fell down, let us know asap with photos.

Always be careful post molt. Chitin is still gummy and prone to tear. You could literally rip it up trying to handle it.

Look up YouTube videos of your mantis species molting to see what happens during a molt. No wings until it's had its final.molt which is months away.

The period directly after molt is used to hang "wet". It fluffs itself up, and articulates its own joints a bit. It dries like that part way, then steps out of its shed to finish drying.

Never interrupt that part.

When it starts shifting from here to there (usually upside down) its a bit safer.

But it needs hours.

 

[hysteresis]

@Kris02 give us an update when you can 

 

[Kris02]

She molted perfectly and ate around five fruit flies today : D she's doing super well here's a photo of her

 

[hysteresis]

Perfect!   Pressure is off.

Enjoy her. We're here for you if you have any questions.

 

[MantisGirl13]

Congratulations on the perfect molt! She's a beauty.

- MantisGirl13

 

[Mantis Lady]

gratz on the molt your ghost is beautiful