Haania orlovi
Moss mantis
General Information
| Scientific name: | Haania orlovi |
| Common name: | Moss mantis |
| Distribution: | China, Yunnan… |
| Habitat: | Humid and mossy areas |
| Size: | Females ~ 2.5 cm Males ~ 2.5 cm |
| Livespan: | Females up to 1 year Males under 1 year |
| Colour variations: | Brown or green |
| Aggressivity: | Low* |
| Difficulty: | Middle (freshly hatched nymphs very small) |
*group-keeping in all stages possible. However, cannibalism can still occur.
Systematics
| Order: | Mantodea |
| Family: | Thespidae |
| Genus: | Haania |
First description (year): ?
More species of this genus (similar housing and appearance):
- Haania confusa (SAUSSURE, 1871)
Keeping
Enclosure (LxWxH):
- Single-housing: from 15 x 15 x 15 cm
- Group-keeping: from 20 x 20 x 20 cm for 1 pair
- 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 22 – 28 °C, night room temperature (below 18°C no problem)
Relative humidity:
Days ~ 50 – 60%, nights higher
Set-up:
- Substrate: Soil, sand, kitchen paper, gravel, coco humus etc.
- Branches (also horizontal/bent)
- 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) or springtails |
| L3-L5 | Big fruit flies (Drosophila hydei) or firebrats |
| L6 to adult | Greenbottle flies or firebrats |
Gender Determination
In general: 8 visible sternites (ventral segments) at males, 6 at females (compare with Hierodula membranacea).
Biology
Adult stage (= full-grown + winged):
Females / males ~ in L7
Amount of moults variates (especially under abnormal temperatures or injuries)
Sexually mature after adult moult:
Males ~ 1 week
Females ~ 1-2 weeks
Copulation duration:
~ 2 – 4 hours
Oothecae (egg-cases)
Size: ~ 0.5 cm
Form: long squarish, slightly ribbed
Colour: brown
Oviposition place: Leaves and twigs
First ooth after adult moult: ~ 4 weeks
Interval: ~ 7 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): ~ 2 mm
All given information only for orientation. Actual facts always depend on temperature and food availibility etc.!
More
The Moosmantis Hannia orlovi is only in breeding since 2016, but was quickly known and sought after because of its extraordinary shape. They are extremely well camouflaged in their natural habitat (moss) thanks to their small thorny extensions. With their body length of about 2 cm they are one of the smallest species in breeding. Nevertheless, it is relatively long living for its size. If you do not keep it too dry and not too hot, it can give you a long lasting pleasure. Also intraspecific, the aggressiveness is very low, because they prefer relatively small food (Drosophila, firebrats or newly hatched springtails).
Sources
- Own expercience
