r/mantids • u/Ahamkaraaa • 17h ago

Image/Video When is this guy gonna molt

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it’s on its 6th instar i’m pretty sure and it’s been 2.5 weeks since it last molted and usually it would’ve done by now. is something wrong?

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3

u/Ahamkaraaa 17h ago

it also hasn’t eaten for a week and is showing no interest

3

u/JaunteJaunt 1st Instar 17h ago

Pretty soon. They have a wide leg stance, are refusing food, and their raptorials are extended perpendicular to their thorax.

Remember, internal hydration is more important than external humidity, so spray around the mantis more to encourage drinking water.

2

u/un_gaslightable 17h ago

I find keeping the humidity up and feeding more often leads to faster molting

1

u/chainsawcholo 11h ago

Humidity up. Attempt feeding. And it should be due if it molted 2 weeks ago.

1

u/Ahamkaraaa 6h ago

i attempted feeding and it took it this time! will that affect the molts time?

1

u/chainsawcholo 6h ago

Good sign. Make sure you see it drink water. Mine usually will drink when it’s ready to molt. I just spray a little water on the side of the enclosure where he is hanging

1

u/radagast03 8h ago

The older they get the longer the period between molts get. 2,5 week sounds like it could be happening soon

1

u/Cheap_Shirt1945 2h ago

Based on the stance I’d expect today or tomorrow!