Upcoming moult (?) & maintaining humidity in a mesh viv

[nzxmUyZNKEBoqN3e]

My oldest G. gongylodes, Asgore, has been his current instar for 1 month and 3 days now and I think he is approaching his final moult. He hadn't eaten in about 6 days prior to this photo because I got sent a bad batch of green bottles - thankfully my new ones hatched today and he ate 2 (catching and then releasing another - I assume he is probably full), however this doesn't affect his abdomen size much. I mention this because his abdomen was not as deflated as I would have expected. His wing buds do also seem enlarged but I've never seen enlarged wing buds before and I could well be wishing this into existence. 

As the forum gremlins like to eat my pictures, here is a link to the Imgur album just in case.

I'm assuming there is some period of time between the start of wing bud inflation and when they get fully inflated pre-moult; does anyone know how long this is?

With regards to the second part of the title, I'm a bit stuck on how to increase humidity in his mesh enclosure. It's about 30% - 35% which is fine for normal use but I imagine is a little on the low side for a moult. They sit under a heat lamp which quickly evaporates any misting - I was thinking of filling a small deli pot with water, covering it with mesh (to prevent him drowning) and then leaving it to sit in the bottom of their enclosure. Would this work?

Thank you!

 

[NB Rob]

that sure is a nice looking subadult!  I hope to keep this species one day soon.

I'm afraid I don't have the experience to answer your wing bud questions, but-- For the humidity,

Would it be possible for you to control the humidity in the room with a small humidifier?  I use an ultrasonic humidifier with RO water to keep levels where I want for growing mushrooms.  If you need precise control, inkbird makes a great controller.

Keeping the humidity proper in a single room can be done with a $20-$30 cool mist (ultrasonic) humidifier.  I presume you already have a hygrometer since you are aware of the current level.

great pics, and good luck with the final molt!  

 

[nzxmUyZNKEBoqN3e]

that sure is a nice looking subadult!  I hope to keep this species one day soon.

I'm afraid I don't have the experience to answer your wing bud questions, but-- For the humidity,

Would it be possible for you to control the humidity in the room with a small humidifier?  I use an ultrasonic humidifier with RO water to keep levels where I want for growing mushrooms.  If you need precise control, inkbird makes a great controller.

Keeping the humidity proper in a single room can be done with a $20-$30 cool mist (ultrasonic) humidifier.  I presume you already have a hygrometer since you are aware of the current level.

great pics, and good luck with the final molt!  

Thank you very much!  They're a really cool species - my two are quite dopey, I'm not sure if that's a species trait but they are quite awesome to keep, I'm so glad I got a male because they look amazing as adults!

The humidifier is a good idea that I hadn't thought of; thank you! My only issue is that the room humidity is pretty okay but under the heat lamp it drops massively, but if I have a humidifier nearby that should sort it. Thanks again!

 

[MantisGirl13]

He is definitely going to molt soon! He should be fine in the net without any precautions. Its not about the humidity for a molt so much as how hydrated the mantis is.

- MantisGirl13

 

[nzxmUyZNKEBoqN3e]

He is definitely going to molt soon! He should be fine in the net without any precautions. Its not about the humidity for a molt so much as how hydrated the mantis is.

- MantisGirl13

Excellent news  I'm so excited! But also sad because it means he is reaching the end of his life...