The Mantis Team

[Mantis Lady]

Ghosty isn't molting at the same time Spooky did. 

Spooky molted begin this week. Normally they molted at a bit the same time. But not now. I gave Ghosty honey/water he drank.  With his arms he held the cotton swab so he could keep on drinking. After that he ate a little fly. Confusing . No molt yet.

 

[hysteresis]

@Little Mantis crazy, hey?

One word. Susannah.

 

[Mantis Lady]

One word. Susannah.

Add another: Ghosty. 2 words now.

Is she still eating?

 

[hysteresis]

Add another: Ghosty. 2 words now.

Is she still eating?

Nope. Not waxworm guts. Not hydei. She just perches.

So either shes gonna molt, or fall over dead. 

 

[MantisGirl13]

I'm so sorry you lost hope! I hope Susannah molts soon!

- MantisGirl13

 

[hysteresis]

I'm so sorry you lost hope! I hope Susannah molts soon!

- MantisGirl13

Thanks Mantisgirl

My consolation is Noël.

 

[Mantis Lady]

@hysteresis  Did susannah molt? Ghosty not yet.

 

[hysteresis]

@hysteresis  Did susannah molt? Ghosty not yet.

Since earlier yesterday, we were away visiting Marcie's mom two hrs north of here. I was hoping to find her freshly molted when we returned. 

To my disappointment, she hasn't molted. She didn't take any hydei.

She's perched upside down with legs splayed wide. We'll wait.

Noël's wings have turned yellow. Maybe the rest of her will also turn. Then she'll be golden.



Hopefully your ghost will molt soon!

 

[Graceface]

Ghosty may take longer than Spooky, as females mature faster than males with Ghosts. Usually with mantids it is the other way around, but male Ghosts take longer, especially on the final 2 molts. Early in their life they will molt at a similar time, but as they grow towards adult, they will molt on separate schedules. Nothing to worry about

I have 7 siblings where 2 females are adults for a month now, and not a single male is looking even close to being ready for the final molt.

Ghost dudes take their sweet time

 

[hysteresis]

Ghost dudes take their sweet time

Thats useful for me to know too.

And, @Graceface, I just may have a couple orchids coming my way. Maybe a mated gravid orchid female too! I dunno.

Im thinking just the nymphs, because that's a lot to bite off for a busy dude like me. And also I is a n00b. We'll see.

 

[Graceface]

Thats useful for me to know too.

And, @Graceface, I just may have a couple orchids coming my way. Maybe a mated gravid orchid female too! I dunno.

Im thinking just the nymphs, because that's a lot to bite off for a busy dude like me. And also I is a n00b. We'll see.

That is exciting! I'd stick with the nymphs, too, but you do you

And yeah, Ghost males are slow to mature. Comparison: Bellatrix has been the fastest female ghost to mature; she molted to adult on 12/14. Her fastest maturing brother, Cam, molted to subadult on 12/18. He will probably take another 2 or 3 weeks from today to get wings. Feels like an eternity, lol. 

 

[Mantis Lady]

Ghosty is acting normal, but still no molt. I hope a green bottle fly will hatch today, that one will be for him. then i can see if he is still hungry and close to molting.(or not)

Ghosty may take longer than Spooky, as females mature faster than males with Ghosts. Usually with mantids it is the other way around, but male Ghosts take longer, especially on the final 2 molts. Early in their life they will molt at a similar time, but as they grow towards adult, they will molt on separate schedules. Nothing to worry about

Thanks for the info. I was used to that they both molted at the same time, but not anymore.

 

[MantisGirl13]

Ghost dudes take their sweet time

Yes they do!!

- MantisGirl13

 

[Mantis Lady]

I will try to wait patienly for Ghosty to molt. I am thinking Aurene is preparing for her molt. She gives the prey I give her a threat pose. About the others: they are eating well. Some of the mantids shared a grasshopper. (not many flies has hatched yet) I like mantids who enjoys their food.

 

[MantisGirl13]

I will try to wait patienly for Ghosty to molt. I am thinking Aurene is preparing for her molt. She gives the prey I give her a threat pose. About the others: they are eating well. Some of the mantids shared a grasshopper. (not many flies has hatched yet) I like mantids who enjoys their food.

Yay! I hope she has a good molt!

- MantisGirl13

 

[hysteresis]

Molt! Molt! Molt! 

 

[hysteresis]

I like mantids who enjoys their food.

My Miomantis caffra are the most aggressive feeders I have. They come straight down and take their prey.

It's unreal. I love watching them at feeding time!

 

[MantisGirl13]

My Miomantis caffra are the most aggressive feeders I have. They come straight down and take their prey.

It's unreal. I love watching them at feeding time!

I know, I LOVE watching aggressive feeders!

-  MantisGirl13

 

[Mantis Lady]

Soraya is the biggest bottomless pit. I think she can eat all day if she wants. (h.golden)

 

[MantisGirl13]

Soraya is the biggest bottomless pit. I think she can eat all day if she wants. (h.golden)

Ya, my old G. African could too!

- MantisGirl13