Wow, I can't believe this

[tlasorsa]

So, after having 90% of the mantids that I kept from the egg sack die due to molting issues and a very small number of cannibalism incidents, i have (had) 7 left. I gave one to my Dad, which molted again and is doing ok. Then 4 of my 6 molted, with one death, one handicap, and two fine. My wife goes over to take a look this evening, and you know what she found? A STUPID LADYBUG CHOWING DOWN ON THE ABDOMEN OF THE MANTIS THAT JUST MOLTED CLEAN! I forgot the lady bug was in there, and apparently they will eat just about anything. I got the mantis out, with the ladybug riding bareback on the abdomen eating, I assume, then I quickly got the lady bug off. The mantis looks really weak, and there is a small wound on the abdomen which appears very thin and "sucked clean". Can a ladybug do this?? Is there anything I can do to help the mantis? Help!!!!!

 

[Woodbox]

Not much you can do. You might have caught it in time. Only time will tell. Let it rest. My mantid's abdomen normally look pretty thin after a shed.

 

[Chief Tom]

Just ride it out, it could turn out to be o.k.

 

[MantidLord]

ladybug are capable of killing mantids that are weak or small. I've had one take the head off of a nymph before.