Will a mantid molt right after an injury?

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I have a mantid that was ready to molt. He somehow hurt his leg and will not survive the molt. I was thinking of putting aloe on his injury, because it has worked before. But if I put aloe and he does molt, he may get stuck in his skin.

I've noticed that the injured ones seem to take forever to molt, is that true?

 

[Rick]

Molting is controlled by hormones. I suppose if an injury was severe enough stress hormones could somehow interfere with the molting process. It is an interesting thought actually. I am not sure if anybody really knows though.

 

[Orin]

If it were immediately before the molt it would have no effect. Otherwise, an injury might postpone the molt slightly. It can vary by species and individual, but for many it doesn't make a big difference. I think in mantids it usually slows them down a hair. I have recorded molting times for different invertebrates relative to molts for siblings or similar aged animals under the same conditions with and without injury (the details are explained in some of my books but I don't remember exactly which or where other than amblypygi and centipedes).

 

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Thank you! I'm interested in buying one of your books. Do you have one specifically on mantids? What is the name of it? It is hard trying to look things up on the internet because I get many different answers. I would love to see some good observational research. Does it also explain the anatomy? I know what works for humans, but I have no clue about mantids. What is the name of a good book I can buy?

 

[Orin]

I'm not sure how much detail is referenced on this topic in the mantis book but there is a bit on anatomy and captive biology. http://www.amazon.com/dp/1616461667

If you're mostly interested in anatomy you'll find Prete's book fascinating (though it has almost nothing on captive care).

http://www.amazon.com/The-Praying-Mantids-Frederick-Prete/dp/0801861748/ref=pd_cp_b_3

 

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Thank you! I ordered them. Can't wait to learn more!

I did loose my male with the injured leg today. He never ate again (for over 2 weeks), and I left him alone. The weirdest thing is that it looked like he was trying to molt, but never shed anything. His wing buds grew and he had a greenish moistness on his wings and thorax.

He seemed perfectly fine last week, (except his leg)

Is that because he did not have enough nutrients/energy to molt?