Ghost mantids are tiny mantids who’s colorations and appendages that are brown, tan or red. These traits are thought to be for blending in with their surrounding.
Scientific name: Phyllocrania paradoxa
Size(M): 1.9 inches(about the same size as the female)
Size(F): 1.9 inches(about the same size as the male)
Environment: Dry areas, bushes, shrubs, trees
Habitat: Africa and southern Europe
Humidity: 60-90%
Temperature: 70-80°F
Price(USA): $19-$45
Life span(M, captivity): 7-12 months
Life span(F, captivity): 7-12 months
Water: Every day
Feed: Every day or every 2 days(Fruit flies and small moths)
Level: Beginner(Small size may cause issues though)
Fun fact! As long as these mantids have enough food, they can be kept together in a colony.
Behavior(M): Timid, scared easily by prey, don’t enjoy handling, prefer to eat flying insects.
Behavior(F): Timid, scared easily by prey, don’t enjoy handling, prefer to eat flying 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)