Sphodromantis lineola
African mantis
General Information
| Scientific name: | Sphodromantis lineola |
| Common name: | African mantis |
| Distribution: | Central- and Westafrica |
| Habitat: | Trees and bushes at higher altitudes |
| Size: | Females ~ 8 cm Males ~ 6 cm |
| Livespan: | Females ~ 1,5 years Males ~ 1 year |
| Colour variations: | Yellow/brown/green |
| Aggressivity: | High* |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
*up to L3 group-housing possible
Systematics
| Order: | Mantodea |
| Family: | Mantidae |
| Subfamily: | Mantinae |
| Tribe: | Paramantini |
| Genus: | Sphodromantis |
First description (year):BURMEISTER (1838)
More species of this genus (similar housing and appearance):
- Sphodromantis balachowskyi (LA GRECA, 1967)
- Sphodromantis centralis (REHN, 1914)
- Sphodromantis gastrica
- Sphodormantis gracilis (LOMBARDO, 1991)
- Sphodormantis viridis (FORSKÅL, 1775)
Keeping
Species is suitable for free-range 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:
Day 20 – 30 °C, night room temperature (below 18°C no problem)
Relative humidity:
~ 50 %, spray every third day
Set-up:
- Substrate: Soil, sand, kitchen paper, gravel, coco humus etc. (animals seldom stay on the ground)
- Branches (also horizontal/bent) with ~ 2,5 cm diameter
- 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 and males in L10
Amount of moults variates (especially under abnormal temperatures or injuries)
Sexually mature after adult moult:
Males ~ 2 weeks
Females ~ 3 weeks
Copulation duration:
~ 6 – 18 hours
Oothecae (egg-cases)
Size: up to 4 cm
Form: half-round
Colour: dark-/brown
Oviposition place: Flat surfaces and thick branches or bark
First ooth after adult moult: ~ 4 weeks
Interval: ~ 2 – 4 weeks
Amount: up to 8 oothecae
Incubation and hatch
Duration: ~ 4 – 6 weeks
Temperatures like animals (see above), rel. humidity over 50% (with good ventilation)
Nymph quantity: up to 250
Size freshly hatched (L1): ~ 6 mm
All given information only for orientation. Actual facts always depend on temperature and food availibility etc.!
More
Sphodromantis is a genug of the normal praying mantis type and belongs to the typical beginners species. Although they are a bit more active as Hierodula membranacea, they can also be kept free in the room on a plant. They feed on anything which fits in their arms and are very robust.
At the inside of their fang arms (coxae) they have 4 – 5 yellowish white dots. Colours of the nymphs variate from brown over yellow to green, depending also on enclosure humidity and surrounding colours. However, colour variations may also be genetically determined. Colours might change with every moult. Colours in presub and subadult stages usually stay until adulthood.
Sources
- Own expercience
- www.mantisonline.de (October 2017)
