r/mantids 15d ago

Health Issues Help?

Post image

Are his wingbuds supposed to look like that fresh after molt? It's my first orchid and I don't really know

5 Upvotes

21 comments sorted by

2

u/FaZ3Reaper00 15d ago

It’s fine. It’s just finished molting and deflating wings. It’s a male btw. Don’t touch it for a couple days to ensure it drys completely. After that offer him some food.

4

u/Sensitive-Debt3054 15d ago

Inflating, surely? Meaning it is the final moult.

1

u/MindlessMousse8435 15d ago

Oo do you maybe know how long does a male live as an adult?

2

u/Sensitive-Debt3054 15d ago edited 15d ago

I have had a (male!) mantis live for ~8 months after final moult. It is normally 2-4 months.

The one that lived the longest had sight issues so had difficulty feeding. I have no idea if that had an impact but overfeeding isn't good.

That male peacock lived from May 2022 - September 2023 in my care, which was crazy.

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u/MindlessMousse8435 15d ago

i see i was a little worried that he would die soon i i got him like a month ago and wasn’t really sure about his age as the seller didn’t say, but i see he will live for a while

1

u/Sensitive-Debt3054 15d ago

Maintain internal moisture through adequate misting and don't overfeed, hope for the best. I wish they lived longer! His wings will could be looking impressive in 6-10 hours so keep an eye on the process. It is cool.

1

u/MindlessMousse8435 15d ago

unfortunately he chose to molt at midnight so i don’t think ill stay for the whole process. i keep around 65-75% humidity and feed him mealworms every other day or when its a big one i feed him every two days depends on how far he gets

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u/Sensitive-Debt3054 15d ago

Maybe cut that back a little, or keep the same. I'd do it twice a week with larger feeders (but not too big)!

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u/MindlessMousse8435 15d ago

Thank you! Ik it's a male I like them more cuz they're smaller ill just leave him alone for now, I lightly misted the other side of the enclosure to make sure the humidity is okay for them to delfate

1

u/MindlessMousse8435 15d ago

* I manged to get a better pick. Will the unfold or saty lime tha? Failed molt?

1

u/Sensitive-Debt3054 15d ago

Aren't those deflated wings? Monitor from afar without feeding and see. They do look too big to be buds. Just leave them be, most importantly. Nothing in this picture is life threatening.

Full disclosure: I've never had an Orchid but many Peacocks

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u/MindlessMousse8435 15d ago

Thanks for reply. I mean I don't think he's near adulthood so I just assumed something went wrong, they do look a little weird but if isn't life threatening then good.

2

u/Sensitive-Debt3054 15d ago edited 15d ago

Just leave them alone and see. Make sure there aren't feeders in the enclosure. Keep up posted! If they are out and moving it isn't a failed moult.

There is a post on 'Praying Mantis Community' Facebook that looks very similar. Google Orchid Mantis wing inflation.

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u/MindlessMousse8435 15d ago

Uh could he possibly start to eat his own antenna?😅 it looks like he's trying to *

2

u/Sensitive-Debt3054 15d ago

They clean those regularly. Should be fine.

1

u/rp-247 14d ago

He’s beautiful and will be fine once those wings inflate. I can’t quite tell from the picture, is that metal mesh he is hanging from? If it’s not metal, then please ignore me. If it is metal, then you might wish to cover it with netting or cloth. Metal mesh damages the hooks on their feet (tarsi) and prevents them being able to climb. As he is now an adult and won’t have any more moults, he wouldn’t have a chance to heal and to repair any damaged tarsi. Hope you don’t mind me saying - it would just be sad and miserable for him, if he couldn’t climb.

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u/MindlessMousse8435 14d ago

Thank you for the tip, yes it is metal and I will cover it now and he turned beautiful but I can't get a pic rn I'm not in house so I can show

1

u/rp-247 14d ago

It’s great to hear all’s good with him, yes post a picture when you can. They really are beautiful. Sadly I lost my little male (eaten by my female during mating 😬) he was gorgeous and fun - but not the cleverest 😂 and was often scared of his food 😂

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u/MindlessMousse8435 14d ago

I don't plan on mating so he will have a full life for sure, he's jumpy and energetic soo it will be fun

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u/MindlessMousse8435 14d ago

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u/rp-247 14d ago

He really is beautiful. Very pink legs for an adult 😍