Idolomantis Diabolica

[Alan]

are the Devils flower mantis(Idolomantis Diabolica) able to take flightless fruit fly

in any care sheet i have read about these it says that the need flying prey and that the nymphs can take fruit fly's....but all i can seem to find is cultures with the deformed winged fruit fly's

so if they cant take the flightless ones can any one tell me where i can get normal ones in the UK



thanks
Alan

[Insectchat]

Alan, Idolomantis shouldn't really need fruit flies. Even as hatchlings, they will readily feed on house flies, which you can buy from your local tackle shop as pupae.

What size Idolomantis were you thinking of getting?

[Alan]

thanks and WOW i knew they were a very large species but i had no idea that they could take house flys right from the start

but thats a big relif as i have finly managed to fid some Idolomantis but still yet to flying fruit flys lol

thanks very much
alan

[Alan]

i was just havin a think about it and the way i culture my fly larva wouldnt work for feeding to mantids (i just leave culture media out and and let wild flys lay there eggs i never have axsess to adult flys)

also trying to keep fully flighted flys seems a bit donting...but i have managed to find a curly winged house fly culture for sale
will the Idolomantis eat these if they are not fully flighted?

thanks
Alan

[Insectchat]

Yea, the Curly wings will be fine. Livefoods ususally has them for sale.

[Alan]

Yea, the Curly wings will be fine. Livefoods ususally has them for sale.

yea they do but not atm....but managed to get some off ebay....thanks to a link from your site :D