This is the care sheet for the Giant Asian Mantis (hierodula membranacea). This mantis species is great for beginners to keep as a pet because it can tolerate temperatures ranges from 20°C (68°F) to 26°C (78.8°F). For housing, the Giant Asian Mantis requires a tank or container 3 times the mantis’ length in height, and 2 times the mantis’ length in width. Before we look deeply into the care requirements, though, let’s take a look at the appearance of this insect.
Hierodula membranacea grow from 8-9 cm in females and are slightly smaller in males. They are well suited to camouflage in their natural environment, with a completely lime green head, thorax and abdomen. Your mantis may be brown or yellow in colour though. Characteristic of this genus is the white spot on both wing cases. Large raptorial forearms are used to seize prey. Now that you want one, how do you care for them?
This species grows very large and is ravenous, thus it must feed on prey suitable for its size. Typically, feed your mantis fruit flies in instars 1-2 (sometimes 3), smaller crickets or small house flies can be offered in instars 3-5, and anywhere from 5-8 your mantis will eat anything (adult crickets, locusts, and large cockroaches). Giant Asian Mantis rarely refuse food so be careful not to overfeed them as this could cause a rupture in the abdomen.
This species should not have a humidity over 70%. They will benefit from a humidity of about 50-70%, preferably 60%. Moving on, group housing in this species is impossible due to the fact they will easily attack and eat each other. They may be able to live together until their 4th instar, though, personally, I would not take the risk.
Similarly to all mantids, to sex the Giant Asian before it is adult, look at the abdominal segments – 6 for a female, 7-8 for a male. After their final molt (at their adult stage), for a male they have wings which exceed the abdomen and for females they have wings which fit nicely on the abdomen. Mantises will molt upside down, so provide a mesh lid.
This praying mantis is not timid, they will actively hunt their prey, swiftly thrusting the large forearms at the prey before gnawing away at the living insect. Despite this fierce behavior, they are harmless and will not easily be damaged from handling – however do not do this frequently as it may confuse or stress the mantis.
The Giant Asian Mantis is closely related to the Giant Rainforest Mantis (hierodula majuscula) which is the largest of Australian mantids. Both species have a similar colouration and behavior. Additionally, hierodula majuscula is also kept commonly as a pet by invertebrate keepers. The hierodula genus contains many mantis species – all of which are very similar to each other.