Acanthops falcata
South American dead leaf mantis
General Information
| Scientific name: | Acanthops falcata |
| Common name: | South American dead leaf mantis / Boxer mantis |
| Distribution: | South America |
| Habitat: | Shrubs |
| Size: | Female ~ 6 cm Male ~ 6 cm |
| Livespan: | Female up to 1,5 years Male up to 1 year |
| Colour variations: | None |
| Aggressivity: | Middle* |
| Difficulty: | Middle |
*up to L4/L5 group-housing possible möglich (males until adulthood also in groups)
Systematics
| Order: | Mantodea |
| Family: | Acanthopidae |
| Genus: | Acanthops |
Keeping
Enclosure (LxWxH):
- Single-housing: from 20 x 20 x 20 cm
- Group-housing: from 30 x 30 x 30 cm for ~ 3 adult males
- Small nymphs can be reared in smaller enclosures (for moulting they need twice their body length free space downwards)
Two ventilation areas (gaze at top + front) adviced to prevent waterglogging.
Temperature:
Day 25 – 30 °C, night room temperature (below 18°C no problem)
Relative humidity:
~ 50 – 60 %
Set-up:
- Substrate: Soil, sand, kitchen paper, gravel, coco humus etc. (animals seldom stay on the ground)
- Branches (also horizontal/bent) with dry leafes
- Living or artificial plants (Beware of pesticides!)
- Clean with vinegar or biodegradable glass cleaner (rinse with clear water)
Feeding Recommendation
| L1/L2 | Small fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) |
| L3/L4 | Big fruit flies (Drosophila hydei) |
| L5/L6 | Greenbottle flies |
| L7 to adult | Green- and Bluebottle flies |
Gender Determination
In general: 8 visible sternites (ventral segments) at males, 6 at females (compare with Hierodula membranacea).
Additionally:
- adult: Females thicker and abdomen bent to the top, males thin with wings reaching over abdominal end.
Biology
Adult stage (= full-grown + winged):
Females in L9, males in L8
Amount of moults variates (especially under abnormal temperatures or injuries)
Sexually mature after adult moult:
Males ~ 1 – 2 weeks
Females ~ 2 – 3 Wochen
Copulation duration:
–
Oothecae (egg-cases)
Size: ~ 6 cm
Form: long, bent, on a fine thread built in the air
Colour: dark brown
Oviposition place: Branches
First ooth after adult moult: –
Interval: ~ 7 – 14 days
Amount: up to 15 oothecae
Incubation and hatch
Duration: ~ 3 – 4 weeks
Temperatures like animals (see above), rel. humidity over 50% (with good ventilation)
Nymph quantity: up to 40
Size freshly hatched (L1): ~ 3 – 4 mm
All given information only for orientation. Actual facts always depend on temperature and food availibility etc.!
More
A very special species! Males and females distinguish in adult stages very much (sexual dimorphism). However, both imitate dry leaves. Females can show their colourful wings at its display.
It is also called Boxer mantis.
As it is a quite small species, nymphs need very small food for a long time (fruit flies up to L4)!
Sources:
- Own expercience
