Two messed up Chinese mantises, make me sad

[cwebster]

Another chinese mantis just mismolted. I didnt see him until he had fallen and had quit trying. I wet him with water to try to get him moist and his raptors and legs are fine now except for his back leg. His neck is bent too much though. I gave him honey but he didnt seem interested. He has lovely green wing buds and legs. Dont know if he will make it. It makes me so very sad. He was in a mesh cube, had been eating well until today.

 

[MantisGirl13]

I hope that he is ok! It is so sad to see so many mismolts!

- MantisGirl13

 

[cwebster]

He is alive but weak. He doesnt seem to want honey. His neck is bent too much so his head is angled downward. I dont know why so many mismolts. Another molted yesterday without troubles but i think next year i am not going to raise chinese mantises, it is just too heart breaking. The ghosts seem to be doing fine. 

 

[MantisGirl13]

Ghosts don't seem to have as many mismolt problems as other mantids, eve though they are a lot more complex. I guess it is because they don't have as long of body parts as Chinese, but it is still sad to see any mantis mismolt.

- MantisGirl13

 

[cwebster]

Last night one of my four remaining chinese mantises suddenly stopped eating and was on the floor of his mesh cube. He would not eat honey and just died for no apparent reason. I feel terrible feeling like i am failing him. He was eating and drinking avidly until then. Temp 70, humidity about 65 in the room. Was giving him hydei. What am i doing wrong?

 

[Mantis Lady]

Sorry for your loss

I feel terrible feeling like i am failing him.

I know the feeling. You want to help and it is no use. I am sure you did everything to help your mantis. What happend? I don't know...

 

[Synapze]

 ? Sorry you're having problems. 

 

[Prayingmantisqueen]

Chinese seem to have a high mortality rate compared to some other species. 

I am sorry for your losses.. I know how it feels. I recently had a female chinese mismolt really bad and I had to put her down, it was challenging and sad.

 

[Mantis Lady]

it was challenging and sad.

It sure is.

 

[Prayingmantisqueen]

Nor do I. One of mi e also was on the floor of her cage this morning. It is soo sad.

 

[cwebster]

Have only two chinese mantises left. One molted ok except for kind of bent back legs but quit eating. I am giving him honey but he seems to be fading.

May not try chinese mantises next year because it is just too heartbreaking. The ghosts are doing great. One just molted to adult which was bittersweet. Lovely wings but i know he is aging. Am hoping another will molt into adult, opposite sex. 

 

[MantisGirl13]

I am sorry! I am glad the ghost molted to adult! I hope that your female will molt to adult soon too!

- MantisGirl13

 

[cwebster]

Only have one Chinese mantis left. Not yet adult. Hope another ghost molts to adult. Am terrified to try mating a pair fearing the female may eat the male but feel so sad when they die without having had a chance to mate. 

 

[MantisGirl13]

Oh no!!!!!! I am sorry that you had such a bad experience with the Chinese. My ghosts mated without complications, so I think your male will be fine.

- MantisGirl13

 

[Mh987]

@cwebster Sorry to hear about the mismolts!  I've had a lot of my previous Chinese mantids mismolt.  It's such a horrible thing to go through.  I hope it gets better for you.  

@john57  I've never seen a giraffe Mantis before.  It's very cool!