Spiny flower mantis can't eat beetles?

[Andyfrog321]

I've heard that flower mantids can only eat 'soft' insects like flies, worms, moths, butterfly's etc, because they have weaker mandibles than other mantids.

I.e

They can't eat beetles or mealworms.

Is this true?

 

[twolfe]

Mine eat mealworms. I remove the head first and hand them via a forceps. I only use these as emergency food or as an occasional treat.

 

[Termite48]

I raise Dubia roaches and with the roach nymph cut into two parts for feeding, the gooey stuffs comes out and if given to a hungry mantid of L-4 or larger, they will readily take of the goo and then often pick up the rest and finish to whole thing This is very good nutrition. My P. wahlbergii of Tammy's stock take meal worms readily at L-4. There have been no problems to speak of.

 

[Mantiskid]

I have heard the same about ghosts...it's not true. Mine eat crickets and beetles sometimes too.