This mantid has beautiful brown leaf like colorations with dark brown-black patterns. Their wings have dots of white with the same brown-black colored splotches.
Scientific name: Deroplatys desiccata
Size(M): 3 inches
Size(F): 3.5 inches
Environment: Scrubland and tropical forests
Habitat: Malaysia, Indonesia, Borneo, Sumatra and the Philippines
Humidity: 50-80%
Temperature: 70-80°F
Price(USA): $150
Life span(M, captivity): 8-15 months
Life span(F, captivity): 8-15 months
Water: Every 2 days
Feed: Every 2 days
Level: Intermediate(Temperature needed is 79-95 which can cause issues)
Fun fact! Dead leaf praying mantids will sometimes play dead
Behavior(M): Easily scared by handling and prey, calm but aggressive to insects.
Behavior(F): Easily scared by handling and prey, calm but aggressive to insects.
Need:
- Spray bottle for humidity and water
- A consistent source of bugs for food
- Escape proof container with air holes
- Sticks, leaves, fake plants, or other decorations to climb on
- paper towel or mulch at the bottom of container
- Netting at the top of the enclosure to help with molting
- Heater
Good to have:
- Humidity thermometers/thermometers to know the humidity and temperature so your mantis is healthy
- Some mantises I know enjoy chilling with humans and eating butterflies/moths. Try feeding your mantis a butterfly or moth and see if it likes it! Also try holding the mantis and see if it will explore.
Never:
- Put two mantises together unless the specie are good communally. If you are attempting a breed, then say good bye to your male!
- Feed your mantis carrots or soldier flies!(carrots are poisonous to mantids and soldier flies are usually fed carrots)