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.
Other Resources: