L4 Mantis Feeding

[marsyrosey]

Hi all!!

My three ghost mantises all molted to L4 recently. I went to feed them this morning and I was realizing how small the fruit flies seem compared to them now. The one who molted around 24 hours ago has eaten 11 and hardly even looks full!! Do you think it’s time to move them up to house flies or something? I’m just scared that they’re still too small to hold/catch them because they still look so tiiiiny!

Thank you for your help
Mars

 

[Scorpiobsession]

If you think the fruit flies are too small you can start feeding bottle flies, dubias, or mealworms (not crickets).

 

[marsyrosey]

thank you!! i think i’m going to run to the pet store later and grab some mealworms, i’ve just ordered some bottle flies as well but they aren’t gonna be here for a day or two ans the babies need to eat!! especially since two just finished molting.

 

[MrGhostMantis]

I would actually say bottle flies may be a bit too big. Hydei fruit flies are much more suited for an L4.

 

[marsyrosey]

yeah, i ended up just sticking with the fruit flies since my order got delayed anyways and won’t be here for a while.