My mantis nymph died molting. Why?

[Mantis1]

we ordered mantis nymphs and were very excited. Ours attached well and began molting but died before it finished. What did we do wrong? Been misting it and giving it fruit flies...we are new at this and need help before we try again

 

[cold blood]

They need a lot if space to molt...without the room, molts arent successful.

Fruit flies are a nutritionally poor feeder also....i know in spiders diets too high in fruit flies result in curled legs and molting complications.

 

[Mantis1]

They need a lot if space to molt...without the room, molts arent successful.

Fruit flies are a nutritionally poor feeder also....i know in spiders diets too high in fruit flies result in curled legs and molting complications.

It definitely had the space. What is a more suitable food source if not fruit flies?

 

[chanda]

What species of mantis? Different species have different requirements.

There are a lot of things that can go wrong with mantis nymphs, particularly during a molt. Too dry. Too wet. Too hot or too cold. Not enough ventilation. Inadequate nutrition. Eaten by siblings (if kept together). Eaten by feeders during a molt. Not enough clear space to hang down and molt. I've probably lost mantis nymphs for all of these reasons and more. Unfortunately, the odds of surviving to adulthood for a mantis nymph aren't all that good - which is why they have so many babies in the first place.

It is always disappointing to lose a new pet, but try not to be discouraged. Read up on the specific requirements for the species you are trying to keep and try again - and start out with multiple nymphs, so even if a few don't make it, you're at least increasing the odds that a few will.

 

[KevinsWither]

I'd say check the humidity or did you feed it enough?