Polyspilota griffinii
Griffin mantis
General Information
| Scientific name: | Polyspilota griffinii |
| Common name: | Griffin mantis |
| Distribution: | Gabun, Cameroon, West Afrika |
| Habitat: | Bushes and trees in poor vegetation areas |
| Size: | Female ~ 7 cm Male ~ 7 cm |
| Livespan: | Female up to 1,5 years Male up to 1 year |
| Colour variations: | Mostly green and brown, rarely with pink or yellow tones |
| Aggressivity: | High* |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
*up to L2/L3 group-housing possible
Systematics
| Order: | Mantodea |
| Family: | Mantidae |
| Subfamily: | Mantinae |
| Tribe: | Mantini |
| Genus: | Polyspilota |
First description (year): GIGLIO-TOS (1911)
More species of this genus (similar housing and appearance):
- Polyspilota aeruginosa GOEZE (1778)
Keeping
Enclosure (LxWxH):
- Single-housing: from 20 x 20 x 30 cm
- 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 22 – 30 °C, nights room temperature (below 18°C no problem)
Relative humidity:
Days ~ 40 – 60 %, nights little higher
Set-up:
- Substrate: Soil, sand, gravel, coco humus etc. (animals sometimes 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 | 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).
Additionally:
- adult: Females thicker and males thin with wings reaching over abdominal end
Biology
Adult stage (= full-grown + winged):
Females in L10, males in L9
Amount of moults variates (especially under abnormal temperatures or injuries)
Sexually mature after adult moult:
Males ~ 2 weeks
Females ~ 4 weeks
Copulation duration:
~ 9 – 15 hours
Oothecae (egg-cases)
Size: up to 3 cm
Form: half-round, egg-shaped
Colour: light or dark brown
Oviposition place: thick branches or bark
First ooth after adult moult: ~ 6 weeks
Interval: ~ 10 – 14 days
Amount: up to 5 oothecae
Incubation and hatch
Duration: ~ 4 – 6 weeks
Temperatures like animals (see above), rel. humidity over 50% (with good ventilation)
Nymph quantity: ~ 100
Size freshly hatched (L1): ~ 5 mm
All given information only for orientation. Actual facts always depend on temperature and food availibility etc.!
More
Polyspilota griffinii has a typical praying mantis shape. In adult stages it is grey and marbled. When displaying the blue dot at each inner fang arm (coxae) is visible. Males usually have a light green stripe along the side of the outer wings.
Sources
- www.mantisonline.de (August 2017)
