Diseased Mantis?

zwd22

Arachnosquire
Old Timer
Joined
Oct 22, 2008
Messages
116
Hi,
I came home today to find that the eyes of my praying mantis has turned black and cloudy, I've heard this is a sign of some sort of disease or parasite, but i'm not sure of the details. Few questions.
I was wondering what caused this?
Is there anything that I can do for her?
I keep several tarantulas, should I be worried of the disease spreading?

Here are some relevant information, I been feeding her mealworms, I'm not sure what instar she is at now, but looks like she's 2 or 3 molts away from maturity, I'm not sure about the species, but it is likely a Sphodromantis lineola. Also she molted about 5 days ago.

P.S. I tried the search function but couldn't find much... Thanks for the help.
 

Jesse607

Arachnodemon
Old Timer
Joined
Dec 29, 2002
Messages
715
I am not sure what you found out in the other forum, if you went there.

It is most likely NOT a disease. It is most likely to be caused by damage to the cuticle of the eye. It may happen when the mantid is rubbing its head/face against the clear side of the container trying to get through. I have seen this happen to nymphs, and I have seen some molt again and be healed, and others not completely. This also happens to older adult mantids as a result of senescence (getting old).
 
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