Instar Question About Young Mantids

[DogAndCat36]

So I have 2 praying mantids that are exactly 1 week old, they are separated don't worry. So does the first molt count? Like when a mantis comes out of the ootheca is it already considered an L1 and when it does its immediate molt it is considered an L2? When my mantids molt around next week are they L2 or L3, they will be 2 weeks old.
Thank you!

Also a little pic of one, they are Chinese mantids. :3

 

[RosemaryDuck]

So, I can't answer this question (the mantids are adorable by the way!!) but I just wanted to let you know that Chinese mantids are invasive in the US. So if you are in the US don't release them once they're bigger.

I hope they do well and someone can come along and answer your questions soon!

 

[DogAndCat36]

So, I can't answer this question (the mantids are adorable by the way!!) but I just wanted to let you know that Chinese mantids are invasive in the US. So if you are in the US don't release them once they're bigger.

I hope they do well and someone can come along and answer your questions soon!

Thank you!
Also, they are my babies I'll never release them, they ain't pokemon.