Need assassin help

[LongDucDong]

Anyone kept Fitchia aptera before? I caught this little guy (maybe 3/4"), well, actually an adult I believe, in Missouri last week and I cant get it to eat. Ive tried alive and pre-killed pinheads, but it wont touch em? :? Anyone kept these and can recommend a good feeder? I have it on damp peat with a vertical and horzontal hide. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Acro]

Nice pictures! If the one in the pictures is the one you are keeping, than it is not an adult yet. When it gets its big wings, then you will know. I would say one molt away from adulthood. Be sure to give it a molting surface, something it can hang from while it gets out of its old skin.
As for feeding, try a wax worm. Some species of assassin bugs like the slow juicy buggers and will search for catipillars(sp?). Also try a small moth or house fly as some species are stimulated by the quick movement.
Be sure to spray your assassin bug now and then so it can drink from the water drops.
Hope this helps.

 

[Taceas]

While I have no experience in keeping assassin bugs, all of the wild ones I've ever seen in nature are munching on caterpillars of some sort. So I would agree with the suggestion to try wax worms.

 

[Gemeines]

I kept one that looked very similar to this.

it was tiny and delicate and it was bright green with big sticky clubbed arms.

I also had trouble feeding it. it refused everything. and would run from small houseflies.

This is gross but I did get it to eat a large maggot.. Not to many people mess around with bugs and it makes us do odd things sometimes lol!

After it gained size it ate large flies, and even those grey cave spider/daddylonglegs that people find in the garage.


However I never even thought of a waxworm...:wall: I bet That woulda worked well.


I like that pic too btw I hope you post more pics of its progress

 

[Acro]

Assassin Update?

How is it working out with the assassin bug? Did it feed on a wax worm? Please let us know!

 

[LongDucDong]

Havent tried a wax worm as I havent been to the store... I tried some fruitflies, and some of them have disappeared, Im hoping its eating them. Im gonna try some smaller crickets tomorrow. I tried to find some caterpillars today and yesterday, but no luck. :wall:

 

[Acro]

So how is the bugger? Any chance we can get another update? Has it molted?

Good luck with your little assassin!

 

[LongDucDong]

So how is the bugger? Any chance we can get another update? Has it molted?

Good luck with your little assassin!

It still refuses to eat. I dont know what to do. Im gonna try the mealworm and see what happens...