Species: Parasphendale agriona.
Common Name: Bud-wing Mantis.
Size: Maximum: Male 3cm and
female 7cm, (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 by adult size.
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.
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
and Hierodula varieties, which are again very hardy. I
especially like this species because they actively stalk their
prey and generally will not stop until they capture it.
This species also has a habit of over-eating, given the chance,
so be careful when feeding as they could split their abdomen if
given to much!
