Where's Harry?

[Katnapper]

I've lost Harry (my male Giant Shield) in the bug room. :mellow: He and Michelle had been out, on top of a cluster of 12x12 net cages, mating since about 3 p.m. the day before yesterday. And they were together (and again copulating) still this morning! They were engaged in copulation at least 2 different times, but spent a majority of the time with him just hunkering down on her back, getting a free ride.

I went in to check on things again around noon today, and found her... but not him. I've looked and looked seemingly everywhere, several different times since then... and even had Jesse help me look when he came home from school. But can't find him! Jesse said, "He probably ran away because you named him 'Harry'... he didn't like the name!" :lol: Then he said, "Don't worry Mom, he'll turn up." Now I'm just hoping he does "turn up" soon!

 

[robelgado]

Uhoh

reminds me of Horrible Harry

Good luck finding him, I'm sure he will show up when he's hungry!

 

[hibiscusmile]

Goodness, did u check the floor for wings?

 

[robelgado]

lol noooo

lets stick with the first couple theories

 

[nasty bugger]

Sounds like Harry did a Houdini.

Do you have vents for heat or air into the room?

I'd look high, toward the lights or where he thinks he'll capture prey.

Is the female fat?

Did you look in the window frames?

 

[Katnapper]

Thanks for the ideas, guys and gals. I did look for wing pieces or parts first thing! Didn't see any... the only evidence I found of them being out was some poo around where they were. Yes, I looked in the window (closed) area and up under and around the valance and blinds. I do have two vents in the room (one incoming and one outgoing) that connect to the central air/heating system. But they've already been modified for weeks with an organza fabric covering to keep the fruit flies (and any roaming Chinese nymphs) inside the room. The crack under the door seems too thin for him to easily crawl through. I'm sure he's in there somewhere... but still isn't appearing. And I keep going in there and doing intensive searches repeatedly, to no avail. Hmmm.... I guess I'll just keep searching and hope he "turns up" soon!

Oh, Michelle was already very fat before Harry went missing today. I'd hand fed her 2 crickets last night when they were still together. Staring intently at her belly wondering just isn't helping me come to a conclusion yet. I will concede that she doesn't seem to be hungry since putting her back in her net cube. I put about 8 small (1/4" inch) crickets in with her, and she doesn't seem to be interested in them at all. That's not a good sign, when I think about it... but I'm not giving up hope. I still think he's in there somewhere.

 

[Rick]

Mentally section the room off and start looking. Look very carefully as you go about every inch of the room. He may be near a light source.

 

[kamakiri]

Good luck! I hope you find more than his wings...

 

[nasty bugger]

Is there a trunk he could have used to disappear from...any new insects that he could have transmogricated, or whatever it is with...

Mine like to find ropy stuff, like a chain, or a hanging cord, or the vinyl hose that I drain my aquarium with, and hang out on it, but then they hang up from high places.

 

[Emile.Wilson]

He is probably in the place you would least expect him to be in!

 

[Katnapper]

Thank you for the ideas about searching methodically and places to search. I appreciate it. I'm not sure how many times I've searched the room now. Still no sign of him, no wings, nothing.

The female he was mating with, Michelle, was very fat before the mating... and still very fat after. This is the third time she and Harry have mated, but she has never laid any ooths yet in all the time I've had her (first week of Jan.). But I'm kind of concerned.... she hasn't been interested at all in food since I put her back in her net cage (when I found her, but not Harry after mating). Then today I heard a "splat" and I turned around and looked... and she had a string of poo hanging out and a little puddle splat underneath her. She appeared to be straining with her abdomen. I'm now beginning to wonder if she did eat him, not leaving a clue, and now has abdominal upset from the big meal? I hope that's not the case. I just don't know what to think at this point.

 

[Katnapper]

I still haven't found Harry yet. And last night at 3:30 a.m. Michelle was leaking drops of green fluid (mantis "blood?")from her bottom. It also appeared to be coming out from between the black strip between the last segment and the second to last. I misted the spots with water to wash them off, then just let her be. Just a bit ago his morning while I was in there she fell to the bottom of the net cage, and is just laying there on her belly, looking very sorry for herself. I'm debating whether to put her in the freezer or give her some time and see if she'll come out of it.

 

[robelgado]

I say give her until tommorow morning? maybe she has a tummy ache. you wouldnt want to kill her for that

 

[PhilinYuma]

Katt! I'm a little disappointed that you haven't mentioned praying to the Great Mantis Goddess, Blessed be Her Name, for Harry's safe return.

Probably you did and just forgot to mention it.

I also suggest lighting several different candles in front of Her shrine.

 

[Tiara]

Any word on Harry yet?? I have been worried about him. I hope you find him safe and sound!! Maybe he was scared becuase he didnt get her a valentine!! He will show up when he thinks she forgot about it.... LOL Like any man.. no offence guys!!

 

[Katnapper]

Any word on Harry yet?? I have been worried about him. I hope you find him safe and sound!! Maybe he was scared becuase he didnt get her a valentine!! He will show up when he thinks she forgot about it.... LOL Like any man.. no offence guys!!

No, haven't found him. My husband and I did 2 exhaustive, in-depth searches moving everything and looking the other night (in addition to my frequent searches). He said, "Either she ate him or he's a heck of a magician."

Michelle wasn't getting any better. And inexplicably Michaela also suddenly fell ill (or old). I put them in the freezer together yesterday.

 

[Tiara]

Awww Im sorry for your loss(es)

 

[Dinora]

I'm so sorry, Kat.

Did Michelle lay an ooth first, I hope?

*hugs*

Dinora

 

[Katnapper]

Thanks Tiara and Dinora. No, Dinora, Michelle lived more than plenty of time to lay an ooth... was always super fat when I had her, but never did. I'm wondering if she wasn't eggbound or something like that.

But I still have Paula.