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.
Further Resources:
Mantids & More – Lexicon – Rhombodera valida