The final B. mendica is on it's way out...

[Kaddock]

Well, that's six now.

I must say that it has been quite frustrating having to learn so many lessons through my pets dying... This one made it to adulthood at least. She is so beautiful, and only adult less than a month.

I'm pretty sure the reason she is dying is due to a plug of frass that hardened inside of her. She had a herniated anus from about L4, and every once in a while I have been taking a moistened q-tip and absorbing lumps of dejecta that were hardening to her carapace because she couldn't get them out correctly.

Well, with fulls wings this has become a problem, because the frass has liquified and been soaked into the wings in some cases, and I can't get it off (breathing problems caused by this perhaps as well?)... Her wingtips are quite brown, but I have been watching to make sure there was no spreading of the color. However, her abdomen has been swelling the last couple of days, with out her taking prey.

She is now completely immobile aside from her mandibles, a sad sight. Her abdomen reeks of death, so I believe the blockage has caused internal issues, and the puckered anus has shriveled into her body...

Has anybody dealt with this before?

On another note, my P. affinis also experienced complete immobility besides his mandibles before passing. He had experienced a lot of stress after losing a leg, and died shortly after. Is this weakness common among insects having health issues?

Well, I am down to only my S. bicornis now... Wish me luck...

Some pics of her (blurry sorry)

And as a young tike!

 

[Katnapper]

Sorry to hear. Wish I could help identify the cause... but I don't know. I have an old B. mendica male still hanging on (my solo survivor of the small group of his species that I had). I expect him to be dead or dying every time I look into his cage... but he must be a healthy, stubborn, old fart!

Edit: I forgot to wish you luck with your S. bicornis! Best of luck with them!!! I certainly would like to try this species one day.

 

[Kaddock]

Sorry to hear. Wish I could help identify the cause... but I don't know. I have an old B. mendica male still hanging on (my solo survivor of the small group of his species that I had). I expect him to be dead or dying every time I look into his cage... but he must be a healthy, stubborn, old fart!Edit: I forgot to wish you luck with your S. bicornis! Best of luck with them!!! I certainly would like to try this species one day.

Thanks Kat, I hope this day doesn't get any worse... I already had to carry my bike for 2 miles this morning, and now dead pets...

<_<

 

[Katnapper]

Thanks Kat, I hope this day doesn't get any worse... I already had to carry my bike for 2 miles this morning, and now dead pets... <_<

Awww... that really does suck. I hope the day brings no additional troubles or sorrows.

 

[-MK-]

Sorry to hear that. It makes me sad even when I see one of my little hatchlings not make it.

 

[agent A]

 

[Rick]

It happens. Better luck next time.