The Molting Stages of the Chinese Mantis

Distribution

• The Chinese mantid, or mantis, is a native to Asia, but was introduced to the United States in 1896 by accident when it arrived in Philadelphia as an uninvited guest that hitched a ride with some imported plants. Male mantids are able to fly, but can't venture far. Females do not fly but tend to stay close to where they are born. In the past century, the Chinese mantis has spread across the United States as its eggs have been unintentionally transported.

Life Cycle

• The Chinese mantis produces as many as 200 eggs, which are embedded in an egg case known as an ootheca. In ideal weather conditions, four to six of these egg cases are produced. In the United States, the eggs are laid in the fall and hatch the next spring, usually all at the same time. The newly hatched Chinese mantis is known as a nymph. If kept in an enclosure, separate the nymphs as they are prone to cannibalism. The young mantids feed on small insects. As they grow, the mantids catch increasingly bigger insects such as flies, bees and grasshoppers. The exoskeleton of the Chinese mantid is too rigid to allow for growth, so it molts in order to grow.

Molting Stage

• The Chinese mantis goes through several molts where it sheds its skin before reaching full size. Before molting, the Chinese mantis, like other mantids, becomes a little sluggish. Various hormonal changes trigger the shedding of the skin. It is particularly vulnerable to predators during each molting, as the molting process usually takes a few hours. Once the mantis has shed its skin, it takes a little while for the new skin to harden, again leaving the mantis in a vulnerable state. Initially, both the male and female mantis have eight abdominal segments. When the female molts, however, two of her abdominal segments fuse together, leaving her with six segments.

Molt Failure

• When molting, the Chinese mantid needs something from which to hang. In captivity, use a twig or stick propped up against the wall of its enclosure. The mantis requires a humid environment when molting. This is achieved by spraying the sides of the enclosure with water once a day. If the environment is not humid enough, the mantis gets caught up in the exoskeleton, possibly losing a leg or even dying in the process. Molt failure is the term used when molting has been unsuccessful. It occurs both in captivity and in the wild. In some instances, the new skin may dry in a twisted position, making it difficult for the mantis to move efficiently or hunt.