Help- Mantis not molting

oliffya · May 25, 2018

Hi everyone,

I have a Idolomantis Diabolica (Giant Devil's Flower Mantis)- I believe she is currently L4 and has molted twice since I've her, I think with 3-4 weeks between.

She seems healthy and active, I feed her every 1-2 days, but she's now not motled for 2 months. I remember wondering why my last mantis hadn't molted in a while shortly before he died for unknown reasons. He was only L5.

The Humidity is always 45% or higher as I frequently mist in the hopes it will encourage her to molt.

Does anybody know what causes them to stop molting? And should I be worried/is there anything I can do?

Thank you in advance!

Basin79 · May 25, 2018

A big drop in temperature is the only thing I can think of with a mantis that young. Any pics?

oliffya · May 25, 2018

Thanks for your reply 🙂
The temperature is always 25c or above, she has a heat lamp above her and the room is also very warm anyway. I’ve read lots of conflicting instructions around temp and humidity for this type of mantis. Here is a recent pic and then the second (her on my hand) is from just after the last molt in March

Basin79 · May 25, 2018

Unfortunately I can't see those pics. There's a forum bug that just makes seeing some pics impossible. It's been ages now but doesn't seem to be a priority.

The heat lamp is a bad idea as that will dry out the air. If your room is already warm 70f + your mantis will be fine with those temps.

Hopefully someone will be able to see the pics & advise further.

Basin79 · May 25, 2018

Apologies. For some reason I thought you had a Chinese mantis whilst typing the above reply. Idolomantis need it warmer. The problem is a heat lamp will dry out the air.

Rolls · Jun 1, 2018

Did it moult yet?

Help- Mantis not molting

Attachments

Top Contributors this Month

Recommended Communities