The female orchid mantis can grow to approximately two-and-a-half inches in length and can live for up to 8 months. On the other hand, the male orchid mantis grows to just one inch. It matures faster than the female orchid mantis because it is smaller. Therefore, its life expectancy of only five to six months is less.

Orchid Mantis Life Cycle

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Orchid mantises are like all mantises. They have three stages of life.

Eggs: When they are contained in the ootheca.
Nymphs: This is the juvenile phase of life. These are not considered larvae, as their bodies are fully developed, with the exception of their wings. However, they do have an exoskeleton which is unnecessary and will eventually need to be shed.
Adults: Orchid mantises become their final adult form after they shed or “molt” their exoskeletons.

These life stages are probably familiar to anyone who is familiar with insects. Orchid mantises do not go through the pupal stage as other metamorphosing insects.

This species is a hybrid of parts of the orchid flower. The four legs of this species resemble the petals of an orchid flower. The toothed front pair can be used to grasp prey as in other mantises. Small insects like beetles, fruit flies and crickets are part of their diet. Some cannibalistic and eat their siblings if they are too close.

Females have a petal-like appearance and pink or yellowish-pink color. They are not the same size as males and have a dull, greenish color.

New research has shown that the male and female orchid mantises are not only different in appearance, but also evolved in a way that is unimaginable in arthropods (the group that includes spiders as well as insects). See amazing examples of insect camouflage.

Research suggests that the females’ strategy for hunting pollinating insects has influenced the evolution of the two species. This led to large females that look like orchids and small males who are adept at hiding.

Gavin Svenson of Cleveland Museum of Natural History, along with his colleagues, measured the bodies of more than 100 orchid mantises using a stereomicroscope. They also modelled how certain evolutionary traits such as color evolved over time.

The researchers also studied the evolutionary relationships between orchid mantises, their distant relatives, and were able to reconstruct the shifts that resulted in the unusual appearance of the orchid mantises.

Hunting Techniques

By mimicking the flowers of female orchid mantises, large and colorful males can attract insects prey. The male orchid mantises were small and camouflaged so they could avoid predators and find mates.

Males are small because they have to move about the environment in order to find females or mate.

Is it Possible to Raise Orchid Mantis as a Pet?

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Housing

Glass terrariums are essential for orchid mantis survival as pets. Other materials are possible, but glass allows heat to escape. This means that the temperature does not fluctuate – it is always constant.

To give the orchid mantis enough space, its terrarium must be at least 200x300x200mm in height. Although it is content to wait for prey, the orchid mantis does not need to move. However, it does have wings that it can use.

Heating

The orchid mantis requires a constant temperature of 70-75F (21-24C) in order to thrive. It is not tolerant to temperature fluctuations.

This can be achieved by placing a heat mat that is thermostat-controlled on one side of your glass terrarium.

The glass terrarium creates an area of temperature gradient because it is only heated one side. The orchid mantis can heat up or cool down simply by moving around from one area of the enclosure to another.

Surroundings

Although we don’t have much information about the microhabitat for the orchid mantis we do know that it is a tropical species and lives in Southeast Asia.

This can be done by using a soil mixture (at least 2 inches) which retains moisture after a morning application.

Also, it’s best for the orchid mantis (or any other species) to perform mimesis. To do this, add plants to your glass terrarium. The natural wood ornaments are beautiful and provide perches for the mantis. They aren’t stationary, after all.

You might also consider adding trailing plants to your garden. They are not only beautiful, but also capture water and provide a convenient water source for your pet.

The Giant Asian mantis (Hierodula miraanacea) is a large praying mantis. It is also one of the most important species in the genus Hierodula. Its colors range from green and yellow-green to brown and reddish-brown to resemble the giant Indian mantis, as well as the giant Malaysian mantis.

Interesting Giant Asian Mantis Facts

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Its name refers to its origin from South-eastern Asia. It is one of the largest mantises. Female adults are approximately 7-9cm (2.8-3.5in) in length, with extended forelegs. It is a cannibalistic animal, with the females sometimes eating the men after mating.

What Does the Giant Asian Mantis Look like? – Appearance

The Asian giant mantis (or giant Asian mantis) is a mantis with a huge body measuring between 3 and 4 inches.

Males are usually smaller than females and typically slimmer than heavier females. Their wings are also shorter than the wings of females who have wings that are much longer than their abdomens.

While the giant Asian mantis is mostly green, there are also brown and yellow varieties. They can quickly change their colors, usually in just a few days. This may be due to environmental changes.

Giant Praying Mantis Habitat

Hierodula spp. lives in tree and shrub areas. It thrives in humid, hot climates where temperatures range from 22 to 30 degrees Celsius (72 to 86 degrees F) with humidity levels between 60% and 70%.

What Does a Giant Praying Mantis eat?

H. membranacea cannibalistic like all other mantis types, and is believed to increase female fecundity. These massive insects can also take on highly predatory species of hornets, such as the Asian Giant.

The Asian giant mantis has a reputation for taking on large prey. It is one the few predators that can kill the fearsome Asian hornet. These are some of the most popular prey choices for giant Asian mantises captured captive:

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Related articles:

• Spiny Flower Mantis
• Devil’s Flower Mantis
• Are Praying Mantis Endangered?
• Do Praying Mantis Bite Humans?

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When giant Asian mantises hatch out of the ootheca, they are very tiny and will happily eat fruit fly larvae.

While crickets are an acceptable food source for mantis life stages, they are not the best. Because the Asian giant mantis is very aggressive, crickets are unlikely to attack it. You must ensure that your mantis is well-cared for. Crickets can be quite aggressive so it is important to keep them away from the water. Also, don’t give your mantis crickets to a pet shop. It is best to breed them yourself as they can carry dangerous bacteria or viruses that could kill your mantis.

Flies flies are far more reliable than crickets. Flies can either be purchased online or grown by you. They can be tricky to control as they are easily escaped and difficult to catch.
Mantises should be careful not to feed them large amounts of mealwormbeetle larvae. They may block the mantis’s digestive system and are high in fat.

Giant Asian mantises can consume tiny pinky mouse when fully grown. This is dangerous and unnatural. Your giant Asian mantis should not be fed any other vertebrate.

Molting

As with all arthropods, Mantises have an exoskeleton, a hard shell. This exoskeleton is molted by Mantises as they grow. Once they reach adult size, molting will no longer be necessary. H. membranacea is vulnerable and will not eat during the molting process.

Reproduction

Giant mantis Hierodula mémbranacea is able to reproduce sexually, although it has very limited parthenogenesis ability. Six abdominal segments can distinguish a female from a male, while males have 8. She also has a larger abdomen.

To increase fertility, the female may try to eat the man after mating. This can lead to some difficulties. Over her life, an adult female will lay many eggs (called oothecae). After six to eight week, 150 nymphs will hatch from each of these egg cases.

After mating, the female begins to produce egg sacs known as oothecae. These eggs will give birth each to approximately 200 mantises. Mantises as young as one year old are very small and won’t eat food for many hours or days after hatching. Don’t worry if you don’t wish to care for hundreds upon thousands of baby mantises.

Behavior

This mantis can jump up to twice its length. While adults can fly, some females are sometimes able to fly. If it is caught by predators, the mantis will make a threat display. This involves raising its front with its wings spread out and forelegs extended and opening its mouth. If a predator does not see the threat display, the mantis may strike with its forelegs to bite. Mantises aren’t venomous but such a large species may make a strong defensive attack. This can inflict pain on the skin and cause injury.

Are Giant Asian Mantises a Good Pet Choice?

Location

The giant Asian mantis is not a fussy species and can be kept in any location that receives a lot of traffic. They do not like vibration or noise, and they don’t find contact with humans stressful. It is important that your mantis enclosure be kept out of direct sunlight to avoid overheating. Mantises should also be protected from mold, cold drafts and excess humidity.

Type of enclosure

The enclosure should be large enough that the Asian mantis can fit in it. Mantises need plenty of space in order to be able to hang vertically for molting. You should give your mantis at least three times its length so that they can molt safely.

The mantis of the giant Asian mantis will need at least 9inches of space between the substrate’s top and the area where it can hang. The netcage provides great ventilation and numerous climbing opportunities, making it one of the best options for keeping this species of mantis. The mantis can hang from the top of a glass enclosure with a mesh lid. You will need to monitor humidity levels to avoid potential health issues if you use a glass tray.

Decorations

Giant Asian mantises prefer tropical forests as they feel most at home in the greenery. Mantises are fond of thick plant covers and can live with both artificial and living plants. To allow mantises to hang upside-down, sticks or wood can be used. To prevent injury, decorations should not be sharp or pointed. Also, it is important that your enclosure has smooth sides so your mantis can reach the mesh. For your mantis’s molting, you can insert a stick into the enclosure’s upper corner. This can be secured with silicone caulking, or a clip.

Substrate

The giant Asian mantis will tolerate many substrates, as long as it is absorbent and can regulate humidity. This species will absorb excess water if the substrate is dry.

• Paper towels are a good option if you have a limited budget. They should be changed regularly and soiled quickly.
• Coconut coir: It is both sterile, and it works well for moisture regulation. It’s also very affordable.
• Soil should be sterilized in the oven or microwave before use. Organic soil is best to avoid pesticides. This is a great option if you have living plants.
• Bark: If you are struggling with high humidity, bark can help. Bark is absorbent, attractive, safe and secure.

Temperature

Most Hierodula species, including giant Asian mantises, need to be kept at 70 degrees Fahrenheit. A heat mat can be attached to the tank. It should cover no more than half of its floor. This will allow the mantis freedom to move around between the warm and cool parts of the enclosure. A thermometer is an excellent way to monitor the temperature. This will help you avoid large temperature swings that could weaken your mantis or make them more vulnerable to diseases.

Humidity & Ventilation

High humidity can cause death and illness in the giant Asian mantis. The humidity level for giant Asian mantis is between 40-55%. A humidity level too low can lead to death and serious molting problems. Mantises are more vulnerable to fungal and bacterial infections if it is high.

Keep a hygrometer inside your mantis enclosure. This will allow you to check the humidity level. Humidity can be raised by misting your mantises regularly, preferably every day. Also, keep a shallow dish with gravel and water in your tank. Mantises are unable to drink water from the water droplets of leaves. Increase the ventilation in your mantis enclosure and use an absorbent substrate to lower humidity. This will help protect your mantis against highs and lows of moisture.

How Much Should I Feed My Giant Asian Mantis?

You don’t have to feed your adult mantis every day. Your mantis can be fed every 2-3 days as long as it is well-fed and healthy. If you are feeding flies or mantises, you can either hand feed them or use forceps to feed them. To help them grow, small prey items should be given to young mantises.

Giant Asian Mantis Longevity

The giant Asian preying moth is a long-lived mantis. In fact, some individuals may live as much as 2 years from egg (death) to senescence (embryo). Many older mantises will show signs of age such as weakness, lethargy, mobility problems, vision issues, and lethargy.

If your mantis has been severely injured or ill, it may be more humane for you to put it down. Hobbyists can euthanize insects by using the freezer. This will reduce your mantis’s activity to a very slow pace and eventually lead to death.

Why Do they Die in Captivity? – Causes of Death in Enclosure

Molting

Molting problems could quickly lead to death for your mantis. Misting your mantis is essential. You should mist your mantis’ enclosure more often when it is going through a molt. You can use tweezers if your mantis is having a bad molt to remove the exoskeleton.

Overfeeding

Overfeeding the giant Asian mamtis can lead to aggression. It is not necessary to feed your mantis daily. You should also not give prey items that exceed 30% of the mantis’s body length. You should not feed your mantis if it has a swollen and round abdomen.

Bacterial & Viral Disease

There are many bacteria and viruses that could cause problems for your mantis. Many of these viruses are transmitted through prey insects. This is why it is best for your mantis to breed its own feeder insects. Other conditions can result from poor hygiene. Keep your enclosure clean and dry.

Fungus & Mold

The fungal disease that can affect giant Asian mantis fish is caused by high humidity and mold growth. Fungal infections are often fatal and can lead to death. Fungi thrive in low humidity, low ventilation, and unhygienic settings. In the right conditions, substrate and frass can easily mold. If you suspect that your mantis is suffering from fungal infections, it is important to immediately improve the ventilation. It is important to keep it warm. You can also feed your mantis with an eyedropper. Even though Mantises are able to recover, it doesn’t happen very often.

Injury

Young mantises are thought to recover missing antennae as well as limbs. A younger mantis that is missing a part of its limb will usually regenerate it in a single molt. Adult mantises have completed molting and cannot regenerate any of their limbs. However they can adapt to the loss of a particular limb quite well. A mantis may require assistance feeding if it has lost a raptorial frontal limb. Small prey will still be available to mantises that have one raptorial forelimb.

The Spiny Flower Mantis is a similar species to Indian Flower Mantids. Psuedocreobotra wahlbergii refers to the Spiny flower mantis. Perhaps their unique coloration and body decoration is what makes them so popular. They are African-bred and popular as house pets.

Spiny Flower Mantis Interesting Facts

What does the Spiny Flower Mantis appear like?

• This Mantis is similar to Creoboter meleagris, and it is quite attractive. The Nymphs are dark-black in color, and they look very Alien-like when young. As they age, the blackness gradually fades to a white color with green and pink speckles.
• The adult wings have a huge spiral eyespot in their center. This is to warn them of predators and Mantids. Their un-opened wings turn yellow when threatened. They are very small species that can grow to about 40mm in length. 40mm in height
• The Spiny flowers mantis, although it is an insect, is a stunning creature. The length of the organism is around 38-42mm.
• The body of the mantis is composed of long, white, green and rose stripes. These stripes take up the entire space between the mantis head and the back. The legs of this organism are extremely cool.
• They are white and green, with pink joints that hold them together. The mantis’ front legs have hooks and barbs that are used for preying on prey. Its fleshy lobes, located on the abdomen of mantises, add some decoration.
• Females usually have fleshier lobes than males. A nymph has a similar coloration, with an upturned abdomen.
• Its wings also are much smaller than those of an adult. A newborn nymph is a black and brown nymph with white banded feet. White spots can also be seen.
• Young nymphs’ eyes and head are dark; they will turn a different color as the mantis ages. The head is also colorful and consists of green-colored and pink-colored hair. The eyes of spiny flower mantis’ spiny flower mantis look very unusual, they are pink. This is a color you won’t see every single day.
• The forewings are simply stunning. They are narrow and long, and colored in cream and green. At the center, a large yellow/green eye spot rests. Other wings are very clear, with only a slight amount of veination.
• The hind wings, which turn pale orange near the body, are also similar. Finally, the antennae have a lovely shade of green and cream. This is truly a magnificent creation by God. We need to be more mindful of our daily lives and give thanks to God for His wonderful creation.

Where Do Spiny Flower Mantids Live?

They are native to Africa, East and South. They should be kept at room temperatures between 25-32C (77.9F) and 77.9F (77.9F) during winter.

This Mantis should be sprayed with a fine mister every evening. Spray at most every 2-3 days if you are unable to spray the Mantis. This will maintain a steady humidity of approximately. 60%. They are nocturnal and hide between flowers, waiting for the insects to pass them.

Is the Spiny Flower Praying Mantis easy to Raise?

They are very easy to maintain! Young Nymphs are resilient and can be quite hardy. The mantis could become more vulnerable as they get older so it is important to provide plenty of ventilation. You can find out more!

The ideal setup should have lots of flowers and greenery. You should provide them with the best food, as they will live around flowers. They can be fed on hoverflies, butterflies, hoverflies, wasps, and any other insects that may hide between the petals. In the winter months, they can be fed on wax worms, locusts or crickets.

If you have enough food and space for large Nymphs, it is best to keep them together. These were kept together for quite some while, but never with adults.

What Do Spiny Flower Mantis eat?

The spiny flowers mantis can blend in well with the natural environment. Their brightly colored bodies make it easy for them to blend in with flowers. As spiny flower mantises are often kept as pets rather than wild, it is not uncommon for them to be kept in close proximity to other animals.

Even though they are still found in the wild, some of them are endangered. They are extremely rare and hard to find. These lovely organisms eat mostly houseflies, moths, mealworms and crickets. This helps to reduce their numbers.

This organism could be easily prey for other predators if placed outside its natural environment. It stands out well because of its brightly colored spiny flower mantis. It is often out in nature, protecting itself from predators or searching for food. Wild animals learn very early that to survive, you must be cautious and alert at all times.

This delicate, but powerful creature does little to protect itself and the environment. God is the creator and designer of all His creation. I have to say, His is the greatest artist throughout all history and into the future.

Most mantises are open to roaches. Spiny flower mantis can eat appropriate-sized roaches but they are not their preferred food. You should provide cockroaches only with forceps, as the spiny-flower mantis prefers to wait until they ambush prey.

Flies are the best food for your spiny flower mantis. Flies can quickly escape from enclosed areas. Although it is possible to grow bluebottle fly species in your home, it can be a bit difficult. You can purchase pupae online. Pupae keep well in the refrigerator. They can be warmed up and placed directly in your mantis cage substrate, where they will hatch to adult flies. You can also grow black soldier flies outdoors in a compost bin. The pupae are easy-to-harvest and can hatch into flies which you can feed to your mantises.

Life Cycle of the Spiny Flower Mantis

A Spiny flower mantis’ life expectancy is six months. If they are lucky, it can live up to a full year. They experience three stages of their lives during their time on earth.

• The egg stage
• The nymph stage is and;
• The adult stage.

Each of these stages plays a major role in how long the mantis can survive.

The egg stage

Adult spiny flowers mantises and other mantises, as well, always lay eggs before winter starts. However, mother mantis will lay between 100 and 400 eggs during fall season. The eggs are protected from harsh winter weather by the mother mantis, who puts a frosty liquid over them. This liquid becomes hardened and acts as a protective coating for the eggs throughout winter.

The egg protective cases called ootheca. The ootheca has a place for each egg. When the time comes for the baby to hatch, they climb through the small one-way vessels within the compartments. These one-way vessels aid in the hatching process by making it smothered so that they can crawl out and begin their new lives. The spring brings out the baby spiny flower mantises. When they feel warmth, they know it is time to emerge. The warmth of spring speeds up the hatching process.

The Nymph stage

This stage of newly hatched lives appears in the spring and only in the spring. After hatching, the young ones hang out at the ootheca for a while and enjoy the great fresh air. When they hatch, these baby mantises will be very hungry so while they’re at the ootheca they might try to eat other babies. When they are old enough to leave their nest, they will go hunting for food. They will be looking for small insects and fruit flies. Mantises are easy targets for predators once they reach the Nymph stage.

The adult stage

This stage of maturing into adults takes place in the summer. In the spring and early summer, mantis will spend their time looking for food. They ensure that the food they find is safe for them to eat. As the mantis grows, its exoskeleton will be shed as many as ten times. It will stop growing at the end of the season.

When the mantis is about ready to molt it will become tired and sluggish. Mantis usually find a quiet spot to rest during molts, such as a leaf, or a branch. The mantis becomes more susceptible to predators with each molt. However, they grow stronger with each molt. It will eventually mate and conceive eggs during its adulthood. It dies and the cycle begins again.

How Long do Spiny Flower Mantis Spiny Flower Mantis Live? Lifespan

The average lifespan for the spiny flower mantis is 6 months. However, some may live up to one year if taken care of properly. Keep your mantises healthy by not over-feeding and keeping them at a comfortable temperature.

Mantises can experience the effects aging as they get older. Mantises can lose limbs, experience worsening eyesight and have a decrease in grip strength. If this happens, it is normal. However, if your mantis is suffering too much, you may consider euthanasia. By placing a container in the freezer, you can put a mantis to death if they are suffering from disease, serious injury, or other causes.

Behavior and Cannibalism

If the spiny flower mantises feel threatened, they can put on a stunning display. They display their incredible eyespots, raising both their wings. Their lower wings are bright yellow, probably to emphasize their eyes. The entire display mimics the appearance of larger predators and is intended to protect birds from predators.

While not making threat displays, the spiny flowers mantis is quiet and well camouflaged. They usually perch on specific species of flowers and feed on any insects that visit. They are not likely to pursue prey actively unless they are very hungry, and prefer to hunt ambush.

This species, like many praying mantises is cannibalistic. It will eat everything that moves and is large enough, even members of its own family. Young nymphs up to L4 can be kept together. However, the chances of them eating each other increase as they age.

Can you Keep it as your Pet?

If you are looking for a pet who is easy to care and also beautiful to be around, then you’ve come to the right spot! The spiny flower mantis is a great pet that will amaze your friends. You should first learn a few basics before you rush to buy one. You want your mantis live in a happy place.

A flower spiny or spiny mantis looks very different to others. However, it is beautiful. You may be wondering if you will get a male or a female. However, it is important to understand about both. Males are shorter than females at 4 cm. They are larger because they protect the eggs and take care of them the most.

Males are only 3.5 cm in length. This is not a significant difference, but it is still noticeable. You can count 6 stripes on the abdomen on the female while you can count 8 on the male.

A heated environment is the best climate for these adorable little creatures. The ideal temperature to keep your case at is 75- 85F. The case should be kept at between 75- 85F. Fungal infections can be very serious in the spiny flowers mantis.

It is important to provide a safe environment for the mantis. You should fill the cage with many twigs, leaves, and other things for the mantis. You can feed the mantis twisters. If he eats it, you’ll know that he’s hungry.

You can feed the mantis fruit fly, crickets and moths as well as houseflies and other flying insects. Mist the cage every day to keep it hydrated. Mantises will stop eating after molting, and this may take up to two days.

Molting takes between 3-4 weeks. Females can have as many as 7 molts over their lifetime, while males can have 6. This breed is not recommended for mate. A male and a woman should be kept together in a cage for at least 3-4 weeks. Overall, this is a wonderful pet. You’ll love having it in your home as a member of your family.

Health and Disease

This section covers common conditions and diseases you should be aware of.

Molting

Mantises can have molting issues. The spiny flower mantis prefers dryer conditions than other mantises, and can tolerate lower humidity than many mantises. A lack of sufficient vertical space for molting is the main cause of spiny flowers mantis molting problems. You should provide your mantis at least three times the vertical space of its length.

Overfeeding

The spiny flowers mantis will eat as much food and as many vegetables as they are offered. However, it can be sensitive to excessive feeding so make sure you don’t overfeed them. Overfeeding can shorten your mantis’ lifespan, and in some cases, it can even cause severe intestinal blockage or rupture. Your mantis should not be fed every day, unless it’s very young. Make sure your prey items fit your mantis. You should stop feeding your mantis for a few days if you notice it becoming bloated.

Bacterial & Viral Disease

Although viral and bacterial diseases can be very serious for your mantis, they are relatively easy to prevent. It is important to be careful about the type of insect feeders you provide to your mantises in order to prevent infection. Cockroaches as well as crickets are closely related. Therefore, feeding infected insects on your mantises could cause infection. While it is acceptable to feed roaches you have raised yourself, it is best to not feed your mantises crickets. A bacteria infection is most likely if your mantis develops dark brown discharge from its stomach or mouth. Most infections that are both viral and bacteria can be fatal.

Fungus & Mold

Fungal infections are the biggest threat to spiny flower mentis. Fungal growth is encouraged by damp and stuffy conditions. The spiny flowers mantis requires a dry area with good ventilation. Avoiding fungal infections is crucial. You can promote airflow by using a screen cover or netcage. Avoid moisture buildup by not misting too much. You should remove frass as it can mold quickly and cause health problems in your mantises. If you feel the symptoms of fungal infections, heat the enclosure to increase airflow. Mantis recovery can be helped by warmth and dryness. Keep the mantis hydrated by giving it water every day.

Injury

A mantis can sustain two types of injuries. Mantis limbs, which are extremely fragile, can easily become dislocated or lose an antennae. These things don’t bother mantises too much. Nymphs can also regenerate their missing limbs in just a few moles. Adult mantises have stopped developing and have stopped molting so they won’t be able regenerate their missing limbs.

Mantises that are missing their raptorial forelimbs will have difficulty hunting and may need hand-feeding. Euthanasia is the best choice for unlucky mantises that have lost both of their forelimbs. Because a mantis that is missing its raptorial forelimbs cannot feed itself, climb around its enclosure or molt properly,

A body injury is the other type of injury. While the mantis body can be quite tough, properly fed mantises are more vulnerable to falling injury from high falls. This could result in their abdomen bursting. Bodily injuries are often fatal and you should do your best to avoid falls when handling any mantis.

Idolomantis refers to a genus that includes praying mantises of the family Empusidae. It is represented by one species, Idolomantis Diabolica. Also known as the giant devil’s flower mantis, the devil’s flower mantis is likely to be the largest praying mantis and the one that mimics flowers.

Devil’s Flower Mantis Fact Sheet

Description

The large mantis, the Devil’s flowers mantis, is part of the Empusidae. Males can grow up to 10 cm (3.9 in) while females can reach 13 cm (5.8 in) in height.

Anatomy

Devil’s flower mantis shares the same basic anatomical structure as most species of the Order Mantodea. However the morphology and floral mimicry of each species vary depending on its native habitat.

Head

The Devil’s head contains three crucial components: the compound eyes, the antennae, as well as the mandibles.

A compound eye, made of thousands and individual photoreceptors cells, allows for excellent eyesight. The insect’s ability to perceive 180 degree is possible because of the arrangement and configuration of its photoreceptors.

I. diabolica is able to recognize prey and predators, without having to spoil its camouflage. The antennae are a pair of thin, long bristles that serve as the insect’s sensor.

The antennae project outwardly and are capable of detecting many environmental factors such as chemicals, motion, and odors. The male antennae are feather-like, and have a more complex structure than the females. This allows them detect the pheromones released from the females to track down the females. These pheromones let males know that the females will soon reproduce. The mandibles may be used to “tear and puncture or grind” food.

Thorax

The insect’s largest organ is the thorax. It is composed, like all insects, of three segments: The prothorax; the mesothorax; and the metathorax. Each section contains one pair each of legs. The wings, however, are located only on the mesothoracic-metathoracic segments.

Abdomen

The abdomen is home to various organ systems, including reproductive organs and respiratory organs.

Where Do Devil’s Flower Mantis Live?

It is found in Ethiopia (Kenya), Malawi, Somalia and Tanzania. Its threat display is spectacularly colored with black, red, blue, purple and blue.

Defensive Behavior of a Devil

Devil’s flower mantis, when faced with predators, initiates a deimatic show in an attempt “to scare off and temporarily distract a predator”. Its front legs are raised, especially the femora. This exposes the conspicuous patterns at the bottom of its thorax, and abdomen. The wings are also adorned with a variety of vibrant colors. An additional tactic used by devil’s flower mantis to confuse predators was discovered through observation in its captive environment. It would shift its wings from left to right.

Predatory Behavior

Devil’s flowers mantis remains motionless when prey is present. Its purpose is to seduce an insect into its striking zones. Idolomantis debolicica uses the tibiae and legs of its legs in this zone to grasp and hold on to the prey. The mandibles become formidable weapons to decapitate and consume the prey. I. diabolica eats exclusively airborne insects. This includes moths, butterflies, moths, and beetles.

Breeding

Mature females exhibit dimorphic features to attract males before they reproduce. To attract a male, females may lower the tip of their abdomens and raise them slightly. However, sexual cannibalism still occurs in pairs of I. diabolica who are held captive.

Their precautious nature can lead to aggressive behavior in intrusive environments. One example is when a female becomes prey during the process of copulating. This often ends in the male devouring his head.

Nymphs

• A female can deposit up to 50 eggs into an ootheca.
• This varies depending on the temperature and humidity. It is common for fifty days to pass between egg-laying, hatching and harvesting.
• The nymphs consume small insects such houseflies or fruit flies once they have hatched. Males are born after seven instars of ecdysis.
• Females become mature after eight. I. diabolica can live for approximately 12 months depending on where it lives.