Still no molt

[DefyTheNorms]

I received 3 nymphs on the Dec 10th. One molted on the 22nd, the other on the 23rd, but the third nymph (L2 or L3 blue flash) still has not molted. They spent 4 days in the mail, and I know she did not molt in transit, so the latest she could have molted would have been the morning of the 6th before she was shipped - which would put it 3 weeks tomorrow! I know she didn't molt without me seeing because i inspect her cup daily and there was no exoskeleton. She's eating fine but I can't help but feel concerned. My previous L2 - L4 nymphs typically have 2 weeks between molts.

 

[agent A]

it's possible she is growing slower as a mechanism of inbreeding avoidance

if she grows slower than her brothers, they'll die before she matures

a lot of moths do this

 

[DefyTheNorms]

Good news! She molted through the night.. I looks like she had a bit of trouble because she appears to have a wonky back leg.. She seems fine otherwise tho!  

@mantisloverguy6000 thanks for that bit of info, I had no idea that could happen.

 

[cwebster]

Glad to hear she molted.

 

[DefyTheNorms]

@cwebster Thank you