Author: Critter Corner Staff

Difficulty: Intermediate

Size: males up to 2.75” (7cm); females up to 3” (8cm)

Lifespan: males less than 1 year; females around 1 year

Recommended enclosure size by instar:
– 1i-3i: 5.5oz deli cup (3×3″/8×8cm)
– 4i-6i: 16/32oz deli cup (4×4in/10×10cm)
– 7i-adult: Around 8×8×8″ (20×20×20cm) enclosure minimum

Humidity: 50-60%, misting every other day or so for hydration

Temperature: 77-83°F (25-28°C)

Feeding: Flying insects are preferred at every instar, but other feeders like roaches and crickets can be used if they’re accepted
– 1i-2i: D. melanogaster or D. hydei fruit flies
– 3i-5i: D. hydei fruit flies, house flies, small crickets, small roaches
– 6i-adult: blue bottle flies, wax worms/moths, medium crickets, medium roaches, mealworms (as treats only)

Breeding:
Wait about 3 weeks after the final molt for females and 2 weeks for males. It’s best to wait until the female starts calling.
Breeding is best done in a large net cage with high temperatures (85-95°F/30-35°C), with multiple males to a female.
Females typically lay 4-8 ooths, which hatch in approximately 4-6 weeks. Incubate ooths in the same conditions as adults. They hatch on average 50 nymphs each.

Notes: This species may be very sensitive to inbreeding and will often refuse to breed after a few generations of inbreeding.

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Other Resources:

Mantids & More – Lexicon – Pseudovates chlorophaea (formerly Phyllovates chlorophaea)

Mantis Universe – Texas Unicorn Mantis

Mantis Monarch – Pseudovates chlorophaea

Jax Mantis – Pseudovates chlorophaea

Difficulty: Beginner

Size: males up to 3” (7.5cm); females up to 3.5” (9cm)

Lifespan: males up to a year; females up to 1.5 years

Recommended enclosure size by instar:
– 1i-3i: 2/8oz deli cup (2×2″/5×5cm)
– 4i-6i: 5.5/16oz deli cup (3×3″/8×8cm)
– 7i-adult: Minimum around 8×8×8″ (12×12×12cm)

Humidity: 50-70%, mist every other day or so for hydration

Temperature: 77-86°F (25-30°C); can be kept at room temperature but they do better when a little warmer

Feeding:
– 1i-2i: D. melanogaster or D. hydei fruit flies
– 3i-5i: D. hydei fruit flies, house flies, small crickets/roaches
– 6i-adult: blue bottle flies, medium crickets, medium roaches, wax worms/moths, mealworms (as treats only)

Breeding:
Wait until at least 5 weeks after the final molt for the female and at least 3 weeks for the male. It is best to wait until the female begins calling.
Females are extremely aggressive towards the male, and the males will often be very timid when introduced to a female. Feed the female very well before attempting and make sure she is ready. Allow the male to get settled in a net cage before introducing the female, then give food to the female to distract her.
Incubate ooths in the same conditions as the mantises are kept. They can take 6-12 weeks to hatch and hatch 60-100 nymphs.

Notes: As adults, the females can be very aggressive, both to other mantises and humans. Take caution with handling as them grabbing skin with their raptors can be painful, although they are unlikely to break skin

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Other Resources:

Mantids & More – Lexicon – Pnigomantis medioconstricta

Mantid Forum – Pnigomantis medioconstricta

Difficulty: Intermediate

Size: Both sexes up to 2” (5cm)

Lifespan: males up to 10 months; females up to a year

Recommended enclosure size by instar:
– 1i-3i: 5.5oz deli cup (3×3″/8×8cm)
– 4i-6i: 5.5/16oz deli cup (4×4″/10×10cm)
– 7i-adult: 32oz deli cup or similar sized enclosure (4.5×6″/12×15cm)

Humidity: 60-80%, spray daily or every other day for hydration

Temperature: 77-90°F (25-32°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: blue bottle flies, medium crickets, medium roaches, waxworms/moths, mealworms (as treats only)

Breeding:
Wait until around 2 weeks after final molt before breeding, for both sexes. Both sexes are very aggressive in mating. Care should be taken to avoid injury to either individual when mating.
Keep ooths in the same conditions as the mantises. They will typically hatch in about 3-4 weeks.

Note: These mantises must have round sticks around the same diameter of their body. Without these, they tend to act very stressed and restless which may result in mismolts and death.

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Other Resources:

Mantis Universe – Panther Mantis

Jax Mantis – Tarachodula pantherina

Common name: Giant African Stick Mantis, Cat-Eye Mantis

Difficulty: Intermediate

Size: both sexes approximately 6” (15cm)

Lifespan: males up to 1.5 years; females up to 2 years

Recommended enclosure size by instar:
– 1i-3i: 16oz deli cup (4×4″/10×10cm)
– 4i-6i: Around 8×8×8″ (12×12×12cm) enclosure minimum
– 7i-adult: Around 12×12×18″ (30×30×45cm) enclosure minimum; larger if keeping communally

Humidity: 40-60%, mist every other day or so for hydration

Temperature: 70-86°F (21-30°C)

Feeding:
– 1i-2i: D. melanogaster or D. hydei fruit flies
– 3i-5i: D. hydei fruit flies, house flies, green bottle flies, small crickets, small roaches
– 6i-adult: blue bottle flies, small/medium roaches, small/medium crickets, wax worms/moths, mealworms (as treats only)

Breeding:
These mantises can be kept communally from the start, allowing them to breed when they’re ready (often 4-6 weeks after maturing). Ensure extra food is offered often as well as extra sticks. Higher temperatures can also help to induce breeding as well as higher humidity.
Females lay up to 8 ooths which hatch in around 4-6 weeks when kept at the same parameters as the mantises. Each ooth can hatch up to 50 nymphs

Notes: These mantises should be given many thin sticks to hang out on, as they would in the wild. Birch sticks are ideal, but any other safe woods can be used.
They are very light eaters. A good schedule for feeding is as follows: 1i-3i – 6-16 fruit flies twice a week; 4i-6i – 4 flies or equivalent 3 times a week; adults – 6 flies or equivalent 3 times a week; doubled for mated females.
They are also very prone to mismolting if not given proper sized enclosures and grip (mesh) on all sides.

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Other Resources:

Mantids & More – Lexicon – Heterochaeta orientalis

Mantid Forum – Heterochaeta orientalis

Jax Mantis – Heterochaeta orientalis

Panterra Pets – Giant African Stick Mantis

Common name(s): Spiny Flower Mantis, #9 Mantis

Difficulty: Intermediate

Size: males up to 1.75” (4.5cm); females up to 2” (5cm)

Lifespan: males up to 1 year; females up to 1.5 years

Recommended enclosure size by instar:
– 1i-3i: 2oz deli cup (2×2″/5×5cm)
– 4i-6i: 5.5/8oz deli cup (3×3″/8×8cm)
– 7i-adult: 32oz deli cup or similar sized enclosure (4.5×6″/12×15cm)

Humidity: 40-60%, mist lightly every other day or so for hydration

Temperature: 70-85°F (21-30°C)

Feeding:
– 1i-2i: D. melanogaster or D. hydei fruit flies
– 3i-5i: D. hydei fruit flies, house flies, green bottle flies, small roaches, small crickets
– 6i-adult: house flies, blue bottle flies, small/medium roaches, small/medium crickets, mealworms (as treats only), wax worms/moths

Breeding:
Females are ready to breed in around 3 weeks and males in 2 weeks. Females tend to be aggressive and males very timid so it can take a few attempts to breed. Ensure the female is very well fed before attempting.
Females lay up to 6 ooths starting around 4-5 weeks after the last molt. They hatch around 4-5 weeks after being laid when kept at the same parameters as mantises. They hatch up to 70 nymphs each.

Notes: These mantises are very sensitive to low ventilation. Cross ventilation is a must with them. If using deli cups, cut a hole in the side and cover with mesh, as well as having a mesh lid. Ensure that humidity and stagnant air does not build up.

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Other Resources:

Mantids & More – Lexicon – Pseudocreobotra wahlbergii

Panterra Pets – Pseudocreobotra wahlbergii

Jax Mantis – Pseudocreobotra wahlbergii

Mantis Monarch – Pseudocreobotra wahlbergii

Common hobby species: Creobroter gemmatus, C. urbanus, C. pictipennis, C. apicalis

Common names: Asian Flower Mantis, Indian Flower Mantis, Malaysian Flower Mantis, Jeweled Flower Mantis, etc.

Difficulty: Beginner

Size: males up to 1.5” (3.5cm); females up to 2” (4cm)

Lifespan: males up to 1 year; females up to 1.5 years

Recommended enclosure size by instar:
– 1i-3i: 2oz deli cup (2×2″/5×5cm)
– 4i-6i: 5.5/8oz deli cup (3×3″/8×8cm)
– 7i-adult: 32oz deli cup or similar sized enclosure (4.5×6″/12×15cm)

Humidity: 50-80%, mist every other day or so for hydration

Temperature: 70-82°F (21-28°C)

Feeding:
– 1i-2i: D. melanogaster or D. hydei fruit flies
– 3i-5i: D. hydei fruit flies, house flies, green bottle flies, small roaches, small crickets
– 6i-adult: house flies, blue bottle flies, small/medium roaches, small/medium crickets, waxworms/moths, mealworms(only as treats)

Breeding:
Both sexes are ready to breed in around 2 weeks after molting. The females tend to be very aggressive so ensure she is very well fed. Try to feed the male sparingly as they will overeat which can make them unable to connect with the females.
Females lay up to 8 ooths starting around 3-4 weeks after maturing. These ooths can hatch anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks when kept at the same parameters as mantises. They hatch 50-80 nymphs each.

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Other Resources:

Mantids & More – Lexicon – Creobroter gemmatus

Panterra Pets – Creobroter pictipennis

Mantis Monarch – Creobroter pictipennis

Mantid Forum – Creobroter spp.

Jax Mantis – Creobroter gemmatus

Difficulty: Beginner

Size: males up to 2.75” (7cm); females up to 3” (8cm)

Lifespan: males up to 1 year; females up to 1.5 years

Recommended enclosure size by instar:
– 1i-3i: 2/8oz deli cup (2×2″/5×5cm)
– 4i-6i: 16/32oz deli cup (4.5×4″/11×10cm)
– 7i-adult: Around 8×8×8″ (12×12×12cm) enclosure minimum

Humidity: 50-65%, mist every other day or so for hydration

Temperature: 68-85°F (20-30°C)

Feeding:
– 1i-2i: D. melanogaster or D. hydei fruit flies
– 3i-5i: D. hydei fruit flies, house flies, green bottle flies, small roaches, small crickets
– 6i-adult: house flies, blue bottle flies, small/medium roaches, small/medium crickets, wax worms/moths, mealworms (as treats only)

Breeding:
Both sexes can be bred about 3 weeks after adult molt (sometimes less). Females often start calling soon after molting but you should take time to make sure she is well fed and ready.
Females will lay up to 5 ooths starting around 3 weeks after the adult molt. They will start hatching in around 4-5 weeks when kept at the same parameters as the mantises and hatch about 100 nymphs.

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Other Resources:

Mantids & More – Lexicon – Popa spurca

Mantis Monarch – Popa spurca

Mantid Forum – Popa spurca

Jax Mantis – Popa spurca

(also applies to Phyllocrania illudens, a synonym/morph of P. paradoxa)

Difficulty: Beginner

Size: males up to 2” (5.5cm); females up to 2.5” (6cm)

Lifespan: males up to 1 year; females up to 1.5 year

Recommended enclosure size by instar:
– 1i-3i: 2/8oz deli cup (2×2″/5×5cm)
– 4i-6i: 5.5/16oz deli cup (3×3″/8×8cm)
– 7i-adult: 32oz deli cup or similar sized enclosure (4.5×6″/12×15cm)

Humidity: 30-50%, can tolerate higher. Mist every other day or so for hydration

Temperature: 65–80°F (18-27°C)

Feeding: ghost mantises tend to prefer flying prey and may be intimidated by larger prey
– 1i-2i: D. melanogaster or D. hydei fruit flies
– 3i-5i: D. hydei fruit flies, house flies
– 6i-adult: house flies, blue bottle flies, small/medium roaches, small crickets, wax worms/moths

Breeding:
Wait until around 3 weeks after adult molt for females and 2 weeks for males.
They can lay up to 15 ooths starting around 4-5 weeks after the adult molt. Each ooth can hatch up to 80 nymphs when kept at the same parameters as the mantises for 4-5 weeks.

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Other Resources:

Mantids & More – Lexicon – Phyllocrania paradoxa

Mantis Monarch – Phyllocrania paradoxa

Mantis Universe – Ghost Mantis Care Sheet

Mantid Kingdom – Phyllocrania paradoxa Care

Panterra Pets – Ghost Mantis Caresheet

Dubia.com Guide – Ghost Mantis

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.

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Other Resources:

Mantid Kingdom – Parasphendale agrionina

Mantids & More – Parasphendale affinis

Mantis Monarch – Parasphendale agrionina

Common hobby species: Rhombodera valida, R. basalis, R. stalii, R. megaera, R. kirbyi

Common names: Shield Mantis, Giant Shield Mantis, Javan Shield Mantis, etc.

Difficulty: Beginner

Size: males up to 3.5” (9cm); females up to 4” (10cm)

Lifespan: males up to 1.5 years; females up to 2 years

Recommended enclosure size by instar:
– 1i-3i: 8-16oz deli cup (4.5×2″/12×5cm)
– 4i-6i: 32oz deli cup (4.5×6″/12×15cm)
– 7i-adult: 8×8×12″ (20×20×30cm) enclosure minimum

Humidity: 60-80%, misting every other day or so for hydration

Temperature: 70-85°F (21-29.5°C)

Feeding:
– 1i-2i: D. melanogaster or D. hydei fruit flies
– 3i-5i: house flies, blue bottle flies, small cockroaches, small crickets
– 6i-adult: blue bottle flies, medium/large cockroaches, medium/large crickets, wax worm/moths, mealworms (as treats)

Breeding:
Wait until females have been mature for 4 weeks and males 3 weeks. Females can be very aggressive towards males, especially if they aren’t ready, so waiting longer is best.
Females will lay up to 4 ooths each, starting around 6 weeks after the adult molt. They take 6-8 weeks to hatch (incubated in the same conditions as the mantises themselves) and hatch up to 200 nymphs.

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Further Resources:

Mantids & More – Lexicon – Rhombodera valida

Panterra Pets – Rhombodera spp. Care Guide

Mantids & More – Lexicon – Rhombodera basalis