sibling rivalry

[massaman]

is it uncommon or common for a nymph that hatched to try to devour another one who is just trying to hatch as i noticed this exact thing today as one nymph was trying to hatch and another nymph who was nearby had his mits on the other nymph but did not see any eating of it yet!This was not any molting that i could see just a sign of nymph cannibalism!

 

[ismart]

It is not uncommon for siblings to take advantage of each other during a moult.

 

[Rick]

To a mantis another mantis is just another insect and potential meal unless it is an adult male looking for a mate.

 

[Katnapper]

If they were just hatching, the earlier hatched nymph was likely just playing or wrestling. I think they like to explore and run all over everywhere and everything, and play a mantis version of "King of the Mountain" when they are newborns. Right after hatching (while other nymphs are still in the process of hatching), they really shouldn't even be hungry and looking for a meal quite yet. It should take a day or two. I don't believe the one nymph was trying to cannibalize the other... just playing right now.

 

[agent A]

A hatchling doesn't eat for 3 days after emerging!!!

 

[ismart]

A hatchling doesn't eat for 3 days after emerging!!!

That is not always true. I have had hatchlings eat the same day they have hatched.

 

[PhilinYuma]

That is not always true. I have had hatchlings eat the same day they have hatched.

+1

 

[Katnapper]

A hatchling doesn't eat for 3 days after emerging!!!

Reminder, agent A... Do your homework before making statements like that.