Acromantis formosana
Taiwan flower mantis
General Information
| Scientific name: | Acromantis formosana |
| Common name: | Taiwan flower mantis |
| Distribution: | Taiwan |
| Habitat: | – |
| Livespan: | Female ~ 3,5 cm Male ~ 3 cm |
| Livespan: | Female up to 1 year Male ~ 0,5 years |
| Colour variations: | None |
| Aggressivity: | Middle* |
| Difficulty: | Middle (very small hatchlings) |
*up to L4 group-housing possible (males in adult stages also in groups)
Systematics
| Order: | Mantodea |
| Family: | Hymenopodidae |
| Subfamily: | Acromantinae |
| Tribe: | Acromantini |
| Genus: | Acromantis |
First description (year): SHIRAKI (1911)
More species of this genus (similar housing and appearance):
- Acromantis grandis (BEIER, 1930)
- Acromantis japonica (WESTWOOD, 1889)
Keeping
Enclosure (LxWxH):
- Single-housing: from 15 x 15 x 15 cm
- Group-housing: from 30 x 30 x 30 cm for 2- 3 couples
- 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:
Days 25 – 30 °C, nights room temperature Zimmertemperatur (below 18°C no problem)
Relative humidity:
~ 50 – 60 %, spray every second day
Set-up:
- Substrate: Soil, sand, kitchen paper, gravel, coco humus etc. (animals seldom stay on the ground)
- Branches (also horizontal/bent) with ~0,5 – 1,0 cm diameter and bark pieces
- Living or artificial plants (Beware of pesticides!)
- Clean with vinegar or biodegradable glass cleaner (afterwards rinse with clear water)
Feeding Recommendation
| L1/L2 | Small fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) |
| L3/L4 | Big fruit flies (Drosophila hydei) |
| L5 to adult | Greenbottle flies |
This species also feeds on crawling insects like crickets/roaches etc.
Gender Determination
In general: 8 visible sternites (ventral segments) at males, 6 at females (compare with Hierodula membranacea).
Biology
Adult stage (= full-grown + winged):
?
Amount of moults variates (especially under abnormal temperatures or injuries)
Sexually mature after adult moult:
Males ~ 1 week
Females ~ 2 weeks
Copulation duration:
–
Oothecae (egg-cases)
Size: ~ 18 mm
Form: squarish/long
Colour: brown
Oviposition place: –
First ooth after adult moult: –
Interval: ~ 7 – 10 days
Amount: –
Incubation and hatch
Duration: ~ 4 weeks
Temperatures like animals (see above), rel. humidity over 50% (with good ventilation)
Nymph quantity: –
Size freshly hatched (L1): < 5 mm
All given information only for orientation. Actual facts always depend on temperature and food availibility etc.!
More
This is a pretty little Boxermantis. Easy to recognize by the straight ending of its wings.
Since the newly hatched nymphs are very small, springtails (Collembola) or small firebrats should be available at the start.
Sources
- Own experience
- www.mantisonline.com (July 2017)
