Signs that they are dying? :(

[mantidmomma]

So, 2 days ago, one of my galinthias amoenas, Ega,  looked/acted like she was dying. She could not move, almost like she was paralyzed. The only thing that was moving were her antennae and they were moving faster than I could have ever imagined. I got some honey on a toothpick and fed her and "held" her for about 5 hours before finally going to bed. I expected her to be gone when I woke up. She was not. Yesterday, she was able to move a raptoral. She moved it intentionally, not sporadically. Today, was is able to move both back legs and a raptoral. Still giving a bit of honey and tiny drops of water. Though she does seem to be more alert, I really am questioning if she can see. Also today, my other galinthias amoena, Galia, is doing the same thing that Ega was 2 days ago.   They both started with their abdomens looking like it was curved and the red showing. 

The first 3 pics are of Ega. The last one of her (3rd pic) is today. The fonal pic is of Galia.

They have eaten the same thing as the others. 

Are they on their final days? Is there anything else I can/should do? Is it okay to feed them tiny amounts of honey daily? My thoughts are if it is their last days, I want them to be as happy as they can. 

Any input is greatly appreciated. 

 

[Predatorhousepet]

Are they able to hang upside down on the lid or a branch on their own without falling? Have you seen any improvement in ability to move since you posted?

Honey is ok to feed to a sick mantis daily. However, you might want to add some bug guts and maybe a small amount of powdered bee pollen to the mix so she isn't subsisting on sugar alone. 

Not all honey is made alike, some is a lot better quality than others and some is actually fake and doesn't come from bees at all. Price is a good indicator of quality. The ideal would be unfiltered raw honey (directly from a beekeeper if possible) as it still contains bee pollen and beneficial enzymes but that might be hard to find in a grocery store, you might have to order online if that is an option. What is more commonly found in local grocery stores is raw filtered honey. It is clear because the bee pollen has been filtered out. Bee pollen is beneficial for mantises so you want it in there. This can be resolved by adding a small amount of powdered bee pollen back in. (This is why I suggested adding bee pollen to your food mix in the paragraph above as most people buy filtered honey)

Also have you noticed any vomit in the enclosures? It will look either like reddish brown spots of stuff that doesn't smell like anything or sticky black stuff that smells really bad. 

Let us know how your two Galinthias are doing. I'm getting a female on Wednesday myself, they are such cute little things. It's a shame yours aren't doing so well.

 

[mantidmomma]

Ega was initially hanging but fell. That was when I knew something was wrong.    I put her back on her lid and she has remained there. As has Galia. 

No vomit in either.

I am using maunka honey that cost a small fortune.    It is the same honey we use for medicinal purposes. I am fairly certain it is of high quality. But I will go tomorrow and find bee pollen....just to be certain.

Thank you!  I will keep you posted!  And congrats on your newest addition on the way! 

 

[Predatorhousepet]

Yes, manuka honey is good stuff. Good job on finding quality honey. If it is clear that means it has been filtered and you need to add the bee pollen back in. Unfiltered honey that contains bee pollen will look kinda cloudy. 

Hopefully your two will pass whatever it is out of their system soon. Maybe they had a bad insect that only affected them because of the small size of the species. What were you feeding them before this happened?

 

[MantisGirl13]

I hope they are ok! How long have they been adult?

- MantisGirl13

 

[cwebster]

Hope they are ok soon.

 

[mantidmomma]

So far, they are still alive. We got them about a month ago as adults.

Ega was up and moving around good yesterday but is was not wanting to eat....not really even wanting honey. Galia was not moving much yesterday. Today she was in the bottom of her habitat...just laying there. I put her on her ceiling and did get her to eat this evening.

I was thinking maybe they ate something that didn't agree with them when they perked up yesterday. But now, I just don't know. 

We will continue to watch them and attempt to make each day a good one for them.

Thank you all so much!!!