Orchid Mantis Issues

[Gloom]

Hiya,

I’ve had my little orchid mantis for about 4-5 months now, she just molted 2 days ago, so last night I got her out, made sure she was ok and gave her tank a spray and left 1 cricket in. She was hopping around and being her usual self whilst I had her out. This afternoon I came home from work to her looking almost dead on the floor of the tank. What could’ve caused this?

I have coco fibre on the floor with a small amount of sphagnum moss (washed) and 2 little silk plants. I also have a hygrometer and temperature dial to keep track of the variables, they’ve both always read fine.

 

[Gloom]

Update: I’ve come home from work and she has died hope someone can help determine the cause so I can get another one without encountering the same issue

 

[Vanisher]

Impossible to say! They are often rather shortlived. How old was she?

 

[Patherophis]

They are often rather shortlived. How old was she?

Man, it wasnt even adult yet...

 

[ShyDragoness]

So sorry for your loss man

 

[Vanisher]

Man, it wasnt even adult yet...

Aha ok

 

[Gloom]

I bought her at L2 Nymph, had the little one for minimum 5 months.

 

[BenLeeKing]

When was the last time it molted? This is very weird, its body is all dark. My guess it that it might be “Peter Pan syndrome”, I have a Banded flower that died because of it. “Peter Pan syndrome” is when the mantis doesn’t wanna grow up, staying in premolt, but never molting and dying eventually. My banded flower stayed in premolt for a long time, until one day the lib colors got darker and it was laying on the bottom not able to move.

 

[Gloom]

When was the last time it molted? This is very weird, its body is all dark. My guess it that it might be “Peter Pan syndrome”, I have a Banded flower that died because of it. “Peter Pan syndrome” is when the mantis doesn’t wanna grow up, staying in premolt, but never molting and dying eventually. My banded flower stayed in premolt for a long time, until one day the lib colors got darker and it was laying on the bottom not able to move.

She literally molted 2 days prior to this, I gave her a day to readjust without disturbing her after too.

 

[bulbophyllum]

I have only limited experience with mantids but, I bet something went wrong with its last molt.

 

[Andrea82]

I have only limited experience with mantids but, I bet something went wrong with its last molt.

Either this or the cricket was bad. Orchid mantids don't do well on crickets, especially if these crickets are raised on carrots. I'm trying to find the article supporting my claim but my saved favourites folder is huge...

 

[SonsofArachne]

Either this or the cricket was bad. Orchid mantids don't do well on crickets, especially if these crickets are raised on carrots. I'm trying to find the article supporting my claim but my saved favourites folder is huge...

I just bought one of these. How are they with B. lats.? I never feed them carrots.

 

[Andrea82]

I just bought one of these. How are they with B. lats.? I never feed them carrots.

More or less okay with them, but feeders with less hard parts like bluebottle flies or meal/buffaloworms are better. Which instar did you get?

 

[velvetundergrowth]

Either this or the cricket was bad. Orchid mantids don't do well on crickets, especially if these crickets are raised on carrots. I'm trying to find the article supporting my claim but my saved favourites folder is huge...

Really interesting. Is this true for most/all mantids or just Orchid mantids?

 

[SonsofArachne]

More or less okay with them, but feeders with less hard parts like bluebottle flies or meal/buffaloworms are better. Which instar did you get?

4th. The seller is currently holding for me until I get some bluebottles going. I mostly wanted to know about roaches in case I need a replacement feeder in a pinch.

 

[Andrea82]

Really interesting. Is this true for most/all mantids or just Orchid mantids?

Imo, it goes for pretty much all species that prefer flying prey. I've also seen some trouble with the big species like T.sinensis and H.membranacea when fed crickets too much. I just stopped feeding them altogether and switched to meal- or superworms.

4th. The seller is currently holding for me until I get some bluebottles going. I mostly wanted to know about roaches in case I need a replacement feeder in a pinch.

Just now and then doesn't hurt much, but I personally wouldn't make it a staple diet. Fourth instar is large enough to tackle maggots or small mealies if you don't have flies. Maggots are cheap and rich in protein, easy eating. The wriggle a lot which sets off the hunting instinct which is fun to watch

 

[BenLeeKing]

I just bought one of these. How are they with B. lats.? I never feed them carrots.

I noticed they get a bit “constipated” if fed on mostly lats, their poop come out in lumps and connected. Feed them mostly flies or butterflies, but it won’t hurt if you feed them the occasional lat.

 

[BenLeeKing]

Imo, it goes for pretty much all species that prefer flying prey. I've also seen some trouble with the big species like T.sinensis and H.membranacea when fed crickets too much. I just stopped feeding them altogether and switched to meal- or superworms

It depends, Deroplatys actually really like crawling prey, and sometimes prefer it over flying prey. I think it’s just that most crickets are not the best quality, and that’s why issues might arise if fed too much.

 

[hibiscusmile]

I agree with the cricket post, crickets carry a lot of germs, have one die and see how bad it smells, where as a fly will not smell, things that eat other insects usually smell bad, those that don't do not tend to rot the same, I go with cricket. I actually stopped feeding mine crickets a couple years ago and now reading this post, I dont remember having any die like that.

 

[SonsofArachne]

Orchid mantis owners - do you dust prey with honey powder or anything? The guy who sold me mine mentioned it in the auction listing, but I Googled it and nothing came up.