5th Instar

Two more molts to go, I think.

I’ve upgraded to larger feeder insects – first a larger size of fruit fly and then 1-week-old crickets. I tried a little mealworm again but they thrash so fast when they realize they’re being eaten that the mantis couldn’t keep a grip on it. I haven’t seen this particular one eat a cricket yet but the others have been cleaning house. The other day a mantis was walking around on the outside of its container while I was adding some crickets, and when it saw one through the plastic it started stalking it enthusiastically.

Hopefully in the next week or two they’ll be big enough to handle the crickets I can get at the pet store, so I won’t have to mail-order them any more.