Common hobby species: Parasphendale affinis, P. agrionina
Common names: Budwing Mantis
Difficulty: Beginner
Size: males up to 2” (5cm); females up to 2.5” (6cm)
Lifespan: males up to 6 months; females up to 1.5 years
Recommended enclosure size by instar:
– 1i-3i: 2oz deli cup (2×2″/5×5cm)
– 4i-6i: 5.5/16 deli cup (3×3″/8×8cm)
– 7i-adult: Around 8×8×8″ (20×20×20cm) enclosure minimum
Humidity: 40-60%, spray every third day or so for hydration
Temperature: 68-86°F (20-30°C)
Feeding:
– 1i-2i: D. melanogaster or D. hydei fruit flies
– 3i-5i: D. hydei fruit flies, house flies, small crickets, small roaches
– 6i-adult: house flies, blue bottle flies, medium crickets, medium roaches, waxworm/moths, mealworms (as treats only)
Breeding:
Wait until around 2 weeks after adult molt for females and 10 days for males.
Lays up to 8 ooths, starting 2 weeks after adult molt. They hatch in about 4-5 weeks kept at the same parameters as the mantises. Up to 200 nymphs hatch from each ooth.
Other Resources:
Mantid Kingdom – Parasphendale agrionina