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- Aug 23, 2015
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Get a Ghost mantis. I spray mine every day around feeding time. Simple care!
No the fruit flies won't hurt your mantis. Mist it 2 or 3 times a week and it'll be fine.Are fruit flies capable of harming an L2 mantis And how often should I be misting?? I bought a Hierodula sp. Golden and I totally forgot how often the guy at the store told me to mist it... Not only that but I can't seem to find a lot of info on google. Was is reclassified recently or something?
Is it okay to leave the ones it doesn't eat in the deli cup??No the fruit flies won't hurt your mantis. Mist it 2 or 3 times a week and it'll be fine.
Yes. I mean, I wouldn't pour a swarm of 50 fruit flies in a deli cup with your mantis (not cuz they'd hurt it directly, but would stress it out and maybe screw up a molt if they're climbing all over it while it's molting), but don't worry about a few uneaten extras. Your L2 will eat them soon enough.Is it okay to leave the ones it doesn't eat in the deli cup??
Thank you! I only put 6 in there yesterday and I only saw him eat one...Should I repeat tomorrow?Yes. I mean, I wouldn't pour a swarm of 50 fruit flies in a deli cup with your mantis (not cuz they'd hurt it directly, but would stress it out and maybe screw up a molt if they're climbing all over it while it's molting), but don't worry about a few uneaten extras. Your L2 will eat them soon enough.
I wouldn't if there are still some in there. If they're all gone, sure why not. A good way to do it is to look at the abdomen. If it's big and fat, the mantis is well fed and there is no immediate need to feed. If the abdomen is flat, it's time to feed and keep feeding until that abdomen fattens up. It takes weeks for a mantis to starve, so it's not something to stress over as long as you stay fairly on top of it.Thank you! I only put 6 in there yesterday and I only saw him eat one...Should I repeat tomorrow?
You prob can't find much info because Hierodula sp. Golden isn't giving you a specific species, only the genus (hierodula) and color variation. I'd ask whoever you got it from for the exact species.Are fruit flies capable of harming an L2 mantis And how often should I be misting?? I bought a Hierodula sp. Golden and I totally forgot how often the guy at the store told me to mist it... Not only that but I can't seem to find a lot of info on google. Was is reclassified recently or something?
That explains it! Thank you.You prob can't find much info because Hierodula sp. Golden isn't giving you a specific species, only the genus (hierodula) and color variation. I'd ask whoever you got it from for the exact species.
Some people feed based on how plump their abdomen looks; if it doesn't look plump then feed.How often should I feed?? 2-3 times a week??
How many?? No mishaps from everyday feeding, I assume?Some people feed based on how plump their abdomen looks; if it doesn't look plump then feed.
I've been offering my L2 and L3 fruit flies every day.
I give them as many as they will eat (I put them in a separate smaller container to feed).How many?? No mishaps from everyday feeding, I assume?
Will it still need that much space once it is fully grown?Taking care of a mantis isn't hard, if you start out with the right species.
Enclosure should be 3 times the length of the mantis high, and 2 times the length of the mantis wide and deep, because it needs that space to succesfully molt.
Add lots of sticks or mesh for it to sit/hang/molt from.
Spray once a day/three times a week for humidity and drinking
water depending on the species.
A diet of only crickets is not very healthy, it can cause impaction and
lead to illness and death. Every now and then a cricket is fine, but not only crickets.Flies, maggots, mealworms/superworms,waxworms, S.lateralis/B.dubia are all good feeders.
Mantids aren't aggressive, but they can be startled or annoyed by sudden movement and handling. Always move slow and don't feed with your hands. Bites are rare, but the raptors have sharp spikes and can be painful if a large mantis latches on to your finger.
You can keep them on substrate or kitchen paper. Always provide adequate ventilation.
Phyllocrania paradoxa ('ghost mantis') can be a good beginner species, but they have a strong preference for flying food and can be easily intimidated by larger prey. Gets about 7/8 cm long.
Hierodula membranacea/majuscula are great beginner species as well. They get to 12cm adult size, eat everything that moves, and aren't shy at all.
Creobroter gemmatus is another nice beginner species, gets about
7cm big, have awesome colours and spines, and are good eaters.
Sphodromantis sp. and Tenodera sinensis are good starters as well.
Yes. It needs space for hunting and grooming. Bigger is better, especially for the larger species.Will it still need that much thece once it is fully grown?