Praying mantises are captivating insects known for their distinctive appearance and predatory nature. As they grow from tiny nymphs to adult mantises, they undergo an essential process called molting. This allows them to increase in size and develop fully.
The Molting Process
Molting is an essential process for praying mantises as their rigid exoskeleton does not grow. This hard covering provides structural support and defense, but restricts their growth. To grow, the mantis sheds this old layer and forms a new, larger one.
Before a molt, the mantis stops eating and seeks a quiet, elevated place to hang upside down. Hormones trigger the molting process, during which the mantis pumps air into its body, causing the old exoskeleton to split. The mantis then extracts itself from the old skin, emerging headfirst, followed by its limbs and abdomen. The mantis remains partially attached to its old skin for hours as its new, soft exoskeleton expands.
Molting Duration and Frequency
The shedding process can be quick, often taking 20 to 30 minutes. The final molt into adulthood, involving wing inflation and hardening, can extend this to several hours. After shedding, the mantis remains attached to its old skin while its new, soft exoskeleton expands and hardens. Hardening takes longer, from 24 hours for nymphs to one to four days for adults.
Praying mantises molt multiple times, progressing through developmental stages called instars. Each molt signifies a transition to the next instar. A newly hatched mantis is an L1 nymph, becoming L2 after its first molt, and so on. Molts vary by species and gender, generally five to ten times in a mantis’s lifetime. Females often undergo one or two more molts than males, which contributes to males maturing earlier.
Factors Influencing Molting
Several factors influence a mantis’s molt. Environmental conditions like temperature and humidity play a role. Proper humidity is important, helping the mantis slide out of its old exoskeleton. Low humidity can cause the mantis to get stuck, a condition known as a mismolt.
Nutrition and overall health also impact molting. A well-fed mantis is healthier and better equipped for molting. Insufficient food can lead to an additional larval stage. Age and species also affect molting frequency and duration; younger nymphs molt more frequently, and time between molts increases with maturity. Adequate gripping material in their enclosure prevents falls during this vulnerable period.
Post-Molt Period
Following a molt, a mantis is vulnerable. Its new exoskeleton is soft, requiring time to harden and provide protection. During hardening, the mantis hangs motionless, allowing gravity to straighten its legs and expand its body. Internal secretions are released to fortify the new exoskeleton. This period also sees a rapid growth spurt, expanding in size before its new skin hardens.
Avoid disturbing the mantis during this time, as interference can lead to deformities or be fatal. Handling or feeding should be avoided for 24 to 48 hours after a molt to allow the exoskeleton to fully harden. After molting, mantises appear larger, and their coloration may be more vibrant. They resume normal activities, including eating, once their new protective layer is set.