Strange Behavior/Expelling Strange Liquid from Hierodula Membranacea

[Pizzaparlor45]

Hello, I have not been on this forum in quite some time, but I recently got back in to the mantid hobby. I recently (in the last week) purchased a Hierodula Membranacea nymph probably around L3/L4. For some reason, it began to exhibit strange behavior. First I tried feeding it as it had traveled across the country and was probably hungry. Strangely, it seems to ignore its prey, and when it does seem to notice its prey by turning its head it does nothing to pursue it, when it does (by chance ) happen to be close enough to the prey to attack it either does nothing or makes a half-hearted strike always resulting in failure. I assumed it was about to molt but it has not. I live in South Florida so I do not believe excessively cold temperatures are the culprit. I also noticed its behavior to be fairly slow compared to how I remember mantids being since the last time I had one, which was around 5 years ago. In the last day or two, it begun expelling a weird orange-ish reddish translucent liquid from its mouth. I quite frankly have never seen something like this before from any mantis, although this is my first time raising a Hierodula. Does anyone have any idea what it is or what I could do?

Tl;dr: Sluggish, not eating and strange orange-red-translucent liquid from the mouth. 

 

[Connor]

Hm I’ve never seen this happen but my guess is that it is sick. I’m not trying to be morbid but I would prepare yourself for it not making it. Try hand feeding some honey and maybe flies if it is feeling it.

 

[CosbyArt]

@Pizzaparlor45 The colored liquid sounds like typical mantid vomit, but a photo of it would confirm it for certain.

If you have only had the nymph for a few days (or less) there are two possible causes for the health issues. Either the nymph had the issues before shipping or was caused during shipping. Besides the winter cold in most of the US - Some mantids experience excess rough handling in shipping, which takes 48 hours until they return to a normal state and are ready to eat. Others can be internally injured from the ordeal and sadly may not recover.

Indeed feed it what you can offering half/mushed feeders, 100% real honey, and anything else you can. Best of luck.