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About Teddy Kesting-Handly
Expertise
I can answer almost any question pertaining to Butterflies, Moths, Fireflies, dragonflies, scorpions, honeybees, wasps, and bumblebees. I specialize in Butterflies, Moths, and Scorpions and I will be able to tell you how to care for it, identifying it, keeping it healthy, and diagnose diseases or fungi infection of any sort (with scorpions, it is more difficult but I will try). I am very good with treating bites and stings, ask if you have any questions regarding that. PLEASE, NO QUESTIONS ABOUT MITES/LICE/CLOTHES BUGS/OR ANYTHING TOO SMALL TO SEE AS I WON'T BE ABLE AND WON'T ANSWER YOU. If you have an emergency (someone got bit and you don't know if it's dangerous) email: butterfly_identification@hotmail.com and I should get back to you within the hour.

Experience
I work at the Museum of Science in Boston Mass. as a Butterfly Garden volunteer. I have studied and raised butterflies and moths since 2003. I have a pet scorpion and a large assortment of butterflies and have a fair amount of information on all. I have successfully bred many species of butterflies and moths and can identify most on the spot. I have experience in treating fungal infections and disease in many insects.

Organizations
Museum of Science, Boston MA

Education/Credentials
High School- 11th Grade Taken a Biology exam at a college advanced level (93/100 final score)

You are here: Experts > Science > Insects/Spiders > Entomology (Study of Bugs) > Pet Praying Mantis sickness

Entomology (Study of Bugs) - Pet Praying Mantis sickness

Expert: Teddy Kesting-Handly - 10/25/2009

Question
Hi,

I've read some information online, and I think that my praying mantis (I've had her for only about a week) may be sick. Just today, she started "vomiting" drops of brown fluid with flecks of black. She smears it on her terrarium wall. I have been feeding her canned crickets and mealworms bought at a pet store (feeding her one cricket OR one mealworm every other day). I have thrown out all the sticks/leaves in her terrarium and washed it with boiling water and put fresh items in. She is in a small "Creature Container" with a mesh top. Is there anything I can do to help her?

Thank you very much.

Answer
Alison,

Mantids can be very fickle creatures. I'd stop feeding her canned foods immediately. Do you know what kind of Mantis it is? Also, if you caught her in the wild, the canned food is to blame. Mantids really need live food because the nutritional value is a lot greater. I'd try live food, and see what happens.

Best,

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