Species: Hierodula membranacea.
Common Name: Giant Asian Mantis.
Size: Maximum: Male and
female adults, 10cm (excluding extended forelegs).
Breeding: Sexual, very limited
parthenogenetic abilities. Females can be identified from
males by the fact that they have 8 abdominal segments instead of 6
(male) and that she will have a much larger abdomen.
Eggs: The adult female will lay
several egg sacks (oothecas) over her life span. These are
best removed to a separate container as mantids are cannibalistic.
The oothecas are best suspended six to ten cm from the bottom of
the container as the nymphs 'abseil' down a thin thread to the
container floor when hatching. Hatching takes place around
six to eight weeks later and up to 150 nymphs can be expected.
Food: As adults, mainly crickets with
some wax worms, meal worms and other small insects. As
nymphs, fruit flies to start with, following on to micro crickets
and then larger. It is best, as a general rule, that you do
not feed your mantid any prey over half its size as it could fight
back and injure your pet. Both adults and nymphs are best
fed every three days or so. Do not worry if it stops eating
for a week or two, as this usually means it is going to moult soon
and it will start feeding about one/two days after moulting.
Humidity: Around 50% to 60% is ideal,
but this species is fairly hardy and will cope with fluctuations.
Temperature: This mantid will be
happy kept at room temperature, although a small heat mat would be
beneficial during the winter as the ambient temperature is usually
lower.
Comments: This is an ideal starter
mantid. Due to its hardiness, they are very tolerant and are
easily handled. A similar mantid to this are the
Sphodromantis varieties, which are again very hardy.
