Scientific name: Stagmomantis

Other Common Names: Praying mantis, mantids, mantis

Life span: 2 years

Origin: Africa, United States

Description:

Praying mantids are relatives of stick insects and grasshoppers. They go through incomplete metamorphosis. All mantids They have short wings and can fly if they want too. They prefer scrambling on branches. They have large eyed triangular heads, and their eyes are very sharp. They can also turn their heads completely over their shoulders. They are 2 to 3.5 inches long. Colors range from tan to brown and bright green. They have varied appearances, with some looking like twigs and some looking fresh and green.

Basic Care:

Initially the mantids may be housed in yoghurt cups. As they grow older and shed their skin several times, they can be transferred to milk jars or jam jars. These jars must be closed but a hole must be provided to allow air to pass through. The cage must be three times the length of the mantid. Egg cases must not be placed where the plants have been sprayed with insecticide as this may kill the insects. They grow faster if they are kept in warmer temperatures.

Diet:

Mantids feed on anything that look like insects. They eat mosquitoes, caterpillars, beetles, flies, grasshoppers, crickets, moths and several others. These insects do not need any water to drink generally, but just in case a bowl of water may be kept inside the cage. They can be fed every two or three days. Sometimes they may not eat for a longer period. Water may be placed in a small shallow bowl, so that the praying mantid does not drown itself. Most of them may drink water from vegetation, since misting is being done everyday.

Heat and light:

Since most mantids are from tropical regions, temperature must be maintained at 20 to 25°C. A bowl of water kept inside the cage may provide some necessary moisture. Excess humidity is not required, because the insects get their moisture from their prey. Humidity may also depend on the species of praying mantids. Some species may be able to tolerate heat, others may not. If more heat is necessary, a small heating pad may be used under the enclosure. The soil used as substrate in the housing will help retain moisture. 

Environment:

Most mantids originate from tropical climates, but some do come from cooler climates. A stick or branch must be kept inside the housing for the mantid to hang on when it is shedding its skin. This is also their furniture. They may also be left in some shrubbery and in the garden where they are likely to find a lot of insects for their meals. They may be allowed near tall grass, but care must be taken not to allow birds to get an eye on them. An inch or two of soil, or peat mixed with sand may be used as the bedding in the enclosure. Artificial plants or other vegetation may be placed inside the housing, but care must be taken not to over crowd the environment, as the praying mantid needs a lot of space to move around.

Behavior:

Mantids are not social in nature, and will attack each other if placed in groups. Larger insects may eat the smaller ones, and some may even attack the ones that are of their size. They move around a lot when there is plenty of space. They make excellent pest control devices because they eat any kind of insect and also found to be very harmless with humans. It is known that females eat the males after mating.

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