Alan's arthropods & trips

• About: Also known as the giant devil's flower mantis. They have the reputation to be difficult to keep. This can be solved by feeding them only flying food like flies and moths and giving them lots of ventilation combined with low humidity and rather high temperatures (except as 1st instar nymphs). This species is well known for its threat posture, showing the bright colours of the inside of the forelegs.
• Origin: Semi moist savannah grasslands and light scrub-land in Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Somalia, Tanzania, and Uganda.
• Rate of Growth: Fast. Males will mature in 7 molts (this can be at 4 months) and females in 8 molts.
• Adult Size: Up to 15cm body length. Females are bigger then males with shorter wings and antennas (already noticeable at later nymph stages).

• Housing:

From L1 - L3 this species can be kept in small cups, where the lid is made of mesh and fastened with an elastic band. The cup shouldn't be made of plastic because Idolomantis diabolica can't walk on smooth surfaces. When they fall on the substrate they can't climb back on the mesh to molt properly. Better is to use cups made of polystyrene which gives better grip.
In all stages from L1 to adult one should keep in mind that the hight of the cage (or cup) should be at least 3 times the body length. Thus, for adult specimens hight should be at least 30cm.
As large nymphs they should be transferred to a mesh cage (or net insect cage) to give maximum ventilation.

• Temperament:

They sometimes can get stressed easily when offered large prey.
Idolomantis diabolica can be kept communally in large cages and when given enough food, but cannibalism is possible (for instance: when molting).

• Humidity:

Low, around 40%. Spraying isn't really necessary although misting when they are about to molt can help them shed there skin.

• Temperature:

High, around 30° C. (Minimum 25°C, maximum 35°C).

• Feeding:

Flying foods only (flies and moths). From drosophila's in the smallest nymph stages to greenbottles and bluebottles when bigger. When there is a moment flies aren't readily available, nymphs can be given a tiny cricket, but there is a big possibility they will not take it. Feeding them crickets should be avoided as much as possible as this is the main reason of deaths.
Another possibility when flies are scarce is try feeding them a cockroach. They will more easily take them when simulating flying prey by jiggling the roach in the air with tweezers.

• Substrate:

Not really important because they like it very dry. A small layer of potting soil will do (couple of cm's).

• Suggested Cage Furnishings:

A few plants and a couple of twigs on one side of the enclosure are preferred, especially when keeping them communal. Be sure not to put too much twigs in the cage as they need lots of space for molting.