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Mantis Care Guides

Theopropus elegans (Banded Flower Mantis)

Difficulty: Intermediate

Size: males up to .5” (1.5cm); females up to 1.5” (3.5cm)

Lifespan: males up to 6 months; females up to 1 year

Recommended minimum 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: 16oz (4×4″/10×10cm) deli cup for males; 32oz (4×6″/10×15cm) deli cup for females

Humidity: 50-70%, spray once a day or so

Temperature: 75-86°F (24-30°C); room temperature is fine at night

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

Breeding:
Breeding can be attempted when females have been mature for 3-4 weeks and males have been mature around a week.


Other Resources:

Mantids & More – Lexicon – Theopropus elegans