Hierodula patellifera
Asian mantis
General Information
| Scientific name: | Hierodula patellifera |
| Common name: | Asian mantis / Indochina mantis |
| Distribution: | Soth- & Southeast Asia |
| Habitat: | Trees and shrubs |
| Size: | Female ~ 7 cm Male ~ 6 cm |
| Livespan: | Female ~ 1,5 years Male ~ 1 year |
| Colour variations: | Light green, turquoise or brown |
| Aggressivity: | High* |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
*up to L3/L4 group-housing possible (males in adult stages also in groups)
Systematics
| Order: | Mantodea |
| Family: | Mantidae |
| Subfamily: | Mantinae |
| Tribe: | Paramantini |
| Genus: | Hierodula |
First description (year): SERVILLE (1839)
More species of this genus (similar housing and appearance):
- Hierodula majuscula TINDALE (1923)
- Hierodula membranacea BURMEISTER (1838)
Keeping
Species is suitable for free-range 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 21 - 30 °C, night room temperature (below 18°C no problem)
Relative humidity:
~ 40 - 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)
- Living or artificial plants (Beware of pesticides!)
- Clean with vinegar or biodegradable glass cleaner (afterwards rinse with clear water)
Feeding Recommendation
| L1 | Small fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) |
| L2/L3 | Big fruit flies (Drosophila hydei) |
| L4/L5 | Greenbottle flies |
| L6 to adult | Green- and Bluebottle 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):
Females in L9, males in L8
Amount of moults variates (especially under abnormal temperatures or injuries)
Sexually mature after adult moult:
Males ~ 2 weeks
Females ~ 3 weeks
Copulation duration:
~ 1- 5 hours
Oothecae (egg-cases)
Size: ~ 2 cm
Form: round/oval
Colour: brown
Oviposition place: branches
First ooth after adult moult: ~ 4 weeks
Interval: ~ 10 - 14 days
Amount: up to 8 oothecae
Incubation and hatch
Duration: ~ 4 - 5 weeks
Temperatures like animals (see above), rel. humidity over 50% (with good ventilation)
Nymph quantity: up to 150
Size freshly hatched (L1): ~ 5 mm
All given information only for orientation. Actual facts always depend on temperature and food availibility etc.!
More
This species is like the "small sister" of Hierodula membranacea. Also a beginners species with the typical green colour and shape of a praying mantis. However, it reaches only a body lenght of about 7 cm. So they have the perfect size for the Mantis-Cube in all instars.
Females also suitable for free-range keeping.
Different to Hierodula membranacea: Hierodula patellifera has white spots at their inner forearms (coxae) - clearly visible from presub stages.
Sources:
-
Own expercience
Often available in the shop.
