Tenodera
Arachnobaron
- Joined
- Sep 28, 2011
- Messages
- 486
Data thread.
A 4th instar Tenodera sinensis nymph was in a cage with a miniature Ficus benjamina, which I assumed to be safe as long as the plant wasn't injured. Today, an hour or so after misting the enclosure, I found the mantis still on the Ficus but with little or no grip with its oustretched walking legs and its prothoracic legs drawn close to the head: frozen in a drinking posture. Its mouthparts, legs, and antennae were capable of weak movement.
In order to flush the toxin (I can only infer it drank) I gave it more water and left it alone on a harmless Chlorophytum spider plant. Now, 7 hours later, the mantis is quiet but standing, walking, and looking around normally.
The plant had only been pruned well over a month ago, but it seems probable that the mantis drank from a scar with hardened sap which leached into the water droplet. Both I and the mantis are blessed that it was only a small amount, and I won't be putting anything like that with my bugs again.
A 4th instar Tenodera sinensis nymph was in a cage with a miniature Ficus benjamina, which I assumed to be safe as long as the plant wasn't injured. Today, an hour or so after misting the enclosure, I found the mantis still on the Ficus but with little or no grip with its oustretched walking legs and its prothoracic legs drawn close to the head: frozen in a drinking posture. Its mouthparts, legs, and antennae were capable of weak movement.
In order to flush the toxin (I can only infer it drank) I gave it more water and left it alone on a harmless Chlorophytum spider plant. Now, 7 hours later, the mantis is quiet but standing, walking, and looking around normally.
The plant had only been pruned well over a month ago, but it seems probable that the mantis drank from a scar with hardened sap which leached into the water droplet. Both I and the mantis are blessed that it was only a small amount, and I won't be putting anything like that with my bugs again.