Dead Mantis

[gecko_steve]

Ive just found my giant asian mantis dead she had been eating up to a few days ago and even had a locust in with her for her too eat. She changed into an adult in early nov last year. Anyone got any ideas as to why she might have died? She was in a sweet jar in my bedroom, misted once a week and as ive said was eating well.

[lynneowen1]

old age hun R.I.P

[gecko_steve]

i thought they were adult for at least 6 months before they died?

[lynneowen1]

not always....males last a short time after molting to adult. Are you sure she was female?

[enlightenment]

Had she layed any ooths? Even infertile one's? I usually find females die after about the second or third time it does this.

Oh.

And one more thing.

If it is adult, and has a sudden appetite change, it means it is about to die, from old age, I'm afraid.

[gecko_steve]

no it was def female sexed by shep and me. No she hadnt layed any ooths and was eating up until about 2 days before she died. She was having about 3/4 adult locusts a week, I was feeding her a day after she had ate last so as to not over feed.

[Cosmicbug]

She should have laid at least 1 ooth in that time period, she may have been egg bound which could have caused her death.

[enlightenment]

Originally Posted by Cosmicbug

She should have laid at least 1 ooth in that time period, she may have been egg bound which could have caused her death.

Yes, she should.

Possibly could have been what you just cited then, mate.