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Mantisheaven
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Species: Heteropteryx dilatata (PSG 18).
Common Name: Malaysian
Jungle Nymph.
Size: Maximum: Males,
8cm. Females, 14cm.
Breeding: Sexual.
Eggs: These will be
laid in to a pot of sand or peat. A depth of 8cm is
usually sufficient. They usually take between 12 and
18 months to hatch.
Food: Bramble.
Humidity: Medium to
high, spray every two days.
Comments: What can I
say? WOW. This has got to be one of the most
impressive species to own, but do they have
attitude! This has got to be the most anti-social
stick insect to own. As nymphs they will usually
play dead (see pictures) as soon as they are handled
and as sub-adults/adults hate to be handled, usually
trying to 'spike' you with their very spiny rear
legs. It is advised that you avoid 'spiking' as it
can actually draw blood. You will know when an adult
is annoyed because it will put its hind legs high in
the air and 'rustle' (understated) their hind wings.
Wearing gloves with this species is usually a must,
this is no joke, after the first 'leg grab' you will
understand!
Regardless of the danger, with regular handling they
will tolerate being held and can sometimes even have a
good temperament (very rarely). Males remain brown
though out their lifetime, although go mottled as
adults and have wings. Females are brown up to their
forth shed, then turn lime green for the rest of
their life.
This is generally an easy species to keep, but care
must be taken when the female has her final moult.
They have a habit of getting stuck in their skin and
50% of the time this can lead to death. To prevent
this, observe your female when she stops eating in
the later stages of stage 5 and expect her to moult
within the next two weeks. Keep the cage humid
throughout this time and the process should be
successful. The only other problem that can occur is
that this species can be a bit silly and try to
moult just above the cage floor, with obvious
results. If this is witnessed, move the insect to a
higher position and this can be done even if they
are in the process of moulting.
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