Spiny assassin bugs (psytalla horrida)

[paul30]

Hi all. Fairly new to arachnoboards. Looking for some advice on psytalla horrida. I've only acquired them in the last couple of weeks and last night witnessed one going through the moulting process. Went to work today, came home to find it hanging from its branch but looks like it maybe stuck in its moult. All its legs seem to be out but it's back is all red which looks like a wound. Tryed gently pulling on a leg of the moult to try and dislodge it but no luck. Any advice on how to help it would be great. I include a pic if it helps.

Thanks in advance. Paul

 

[basin79]

There's no wound. That's how their skin looks after a moult. That 1 is now an adult too.

Not sure whether there has been a less than perfect moult or the rascal has literally just popped out and the wings will sort themselves out.

Won't affect the assassin if they don't. I'm sure the bug will just walk away from and the old skin will stay there.

 

[paul30]

basin79

Hi. Thanks very much for the advice. I did wonder if maybe a bad moult. Do you think it best if I leave it alone overnight. I have an early shift tomorrow but will look in on it and again when I get back.

Regards. Paul.

 

[basin79]

basin79

Hi. Thanks very much for the advice. I did wonder if maybe a bad moult. Do you think it best if I leave it alone overnight. I have an early shift tomorrow but will look in on it and again when I get back.

Regards. Paul.

I'd check before you go to bed to see if he/she has moved and is definitely free of the skin. That way you 100% it's not a problem. I'd be wary of trying to pull the skin yet just in case your assassin falls.

 

[paul30]

I'd check before you go to bed to see if he/she has moved and is definitely free of the skin. That way you 100% it's not a problem. I'd be wary of trying to pull the skin yet just in case your assassin falls.

I'd check before you go to bed to see if he/she has moved and is definitely free of the skin. That way you 100% it's not a problem. I'd be wary of trying to pull the skin yet just in case your assassin falls.

I will do. Have seen online about assassins that fall which could be fatal. Will check it again in the morning too. Will get back to you about the outcome or if I'd need to know what I can do to help. Thanks very much.

Regards. Paul.

 

[paul30]

I will do. Have seen online about assassins that fall which could be fatal. Will check it again in the morning too. Will get back to you about the outcome or if I'd need to know what I can do to help. Thanks very much.

Regards. Paul.

basin79

hi again. checked this morning before work and again just now. the moult is still attached. im guessing it will now be stuck to the assassin so wont be able to remove it. any advice on how to help it now. going to call an invert place i know too and see what they say.

regards. Paul.

 

[basin79]

basin79

hi again. checked this morning before work and again just now. the moult is still attached. im guessing it will now be stuck to the assassin so wont be able to remove it. any advice on how to help it now. going to call an invert place i know too and see what they say.

regards. Paul.

Best/easiest way would be to put the assassin in a tub with damp moss for a 20 mins. Failing that damp kitchen roll. The skin will soften and fall away with the bug walking around. You might also find you're able to simply remove the skin with forceps. Although don't tug.

 

[paul30]

Best/easiest way would be to put the assassin in a tub with damp moss for a 20 mins. Failing that damp kitchen roll. The skin will soften and fall away with the bug walking around. You might also find you're able to simply remove the skin with forceps. Although don't tug.

thats great. will try both. thanks for your advice. very much appreciated as obviously want to do my best for it. will let you know how i get on.

 

[paul30]

thats great. will try both. thanks for your advice. very much appreciated as obviously want to do my best for it. will let you know how i get on.

basin79

I just wanted to message you to say thanks very much for your help. I used slightly warm water and even sprayed a little bit on the moult and left him like u said.
Have just successfully managed to fully remove it. U have been a legend so thanks again for your advice.

Kind regards. Paul.

 

[basin79]

basin79

I just wanted to message you to say thanks very much for your help. I used slightly warm water and even sprayed a little bit on the moult and left him like u said.
Have just successfully managed to fully remove it. U have been a legend so thanks again for your advice.

Kind regards. Paul.

Well done!!!!!!!!

And absolutely no problem. I've been helped on here many a time. And who knows, you might be helping out some one with a similar problem down the line.

 

[paul30]

Well done!!!!!!!!

And absolutely no problem. I've been helped on here many a time. And who knows, you might be helping out some one with a similar problem down the line.

basin79

Hiya. It's Paul again. Another issue u maybe able to help with. A couple of days ago I found one of the assassin's on its back in the rear of the tank. Put it in a pot with some damp paper as thought maybe it's needs rehydrating. Even after all this time it still seems to be alive. I wondered if it was trying to moult and one of the others knocked it off. Any suggestions would be great. Regards. Paul.

 

[basin79]

basin79

Hiya. It's Paul again. Another issue u maybe able to help with. A couple of days ago I found one of the assassin's on its back in the rear of the tank. Put it in a pot with some damp paper as thought maybe it's needs rehydrating. Even after all this time it still seems to be alive. I wondered if it was trying to moult and one of the others knocked it off. Any suggestions would be great. Regards. Paul.

Possible. The damp paper towel won't hydrate the bug though. Well not unless he/she physically drinks from it. I had an absolutely shocking time when I had these. Had them die off apart from 2 and I think I started off with about 16. They fed fine, where doing well and then boom. Died after mounting. Just died etcetera. The 2 I ended up with only 1 of them actually was an adult. The other refused to moult. It was so strange. Literally in the same skin for over a year but still wouldn't moult into an adult. Not sure whether it was something I did or that I just happen to have a weird/weak batch.

I've raised and bred another species with no issues. I even know they're pretty much bulletproof but hell fire mine struggled. Best bet would be to either introduce him/her back into a separate little enclosure with some slanted cork bark to moult off or back into a quiet spot in the main enclosure. You could offer prey via tongs to see if the assassin will take too.

 

[paul30]

Possible. The damp paper towel won't hydrate the bug though. Well not unless he/she physically drinks from it. I had an absolutely shocking time when I had these. Had them die off apart from 2 and I think I started off with about 16. They fed fine, where doing well and then boom. Died after mounting. Just died etcetera. The 2 I ended up with only 1 of them actually was an adult. The other refused to moult. It was so strange. Literally in the same skin for over a year but still wouldn't moult into an adult. Not sure whether it was something I did or that I just happen to have a weird/weak batch.

I've raised and bred another species with no issues. I even know they're pretty much bulletproof but hell fire mine struggled. Best bet would be to either introduce him/her back into a separate little enclosure with some slanted cork bark to moult off or back into a quiet spot in the main enclosure. You could offer prey via tongs to see if the assassin will take too.

They do seem to have a lot of problems. Will certainly try what u suggested. Definitely keeping a close eye on the others. The one with the bad moult seems ok at the moment. That's the one I expected to have trouble with. Thanks again.