Praying Mantis | Orchid Mantis "Hymenopus Coronatus"
Praying mantis Hymenopus Coronatus - Orchid mantis 🌸
The orchid mantis can have several dominant color tones. Here, a predominantly pink one. These are the most sought-after, I believe. I don't share this opinion: I find that the whiter they are, the more "regal" and beautiful they are.
Meet the Hymenopus Coronatus - the Orchid Mantis , a fascinating praying mantis that looks like a tropical flower. Perhaps the most beloved praying mantis of all, its unique appearance perfectly mimics orchid petals, making it a formidable predator and a captivating sight for any entomology enthusiast.
Ideal for mantid lovers, this exotic species thrives in captivity , provided it is provided with a well-adapted terrarium .
If you are looking for a rare and aesthetically pleasing species, buying a praying mantis Hymenopus Coronatus - Orchid Mantis is a must-have choice!
Please note that this species is not the easiest to breed in captivity; nothing insurmountable, but read the breeding instructions below carefully.
Breeding sheet: Hymenopus Coronatus - Orchid mantis
Difficulty : Medium -- . Rest assured, breeding it is entirely feasible, but a few points must be considered.
- The male "ages" much more than the female. If you buy a pair of the same "age" you will therefore have to slow down the growth of the male by feeding him less and putting him in a cooler area than the female. Otherwise he will be dead before the female is ready to reproduce (imago + 2 weeks). This point does not concern you if you do not want to breed.
- This is a somewhat passive praying mantis. There are worse, but it's not the bravest of praying mantises. It can refuse crawling prey like red runners, depending on the individual. This greatly complicates its feeding. This rarely happens, however.
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It requires a high humidity around 75% . The hygrometer is in my opinion mandatory under penalty of failed molt and premature death. And who says high humidity says risk of fungi and molds particularly in terrariums and glass aquariums which are often very poorly ventilated due to lack of lateral ventilation. ( Obviously if you buy one of our superb terrariums designed by us you will not have the problem 😁). I'm joking, but be careful the argument is real.
- Ultimately and overall, it is a fairly fragile species for which you will have to be very careful.
Temperature : 25-28°C ideally (requires a heat source) during the day and a minimum of 18°C at night. Note: Can however be kept at room temperature around 20°C. This is how I raise my males to delay them and they tolerate it very well.
Humidity : 70-80% (essential for good molting)
Food :
- Nymph : Diptera (flies, mosquitoes) and small Orthoptera (crickets).
- Adult : Crickets, cockroaches, butterflies, flies, grasshoppers and other invertebrates adapted to its size.
Reproduction mode :
Sexual reproduction. The smaller, more agile male must be carefully introduced to the female to avoid post-mating predation . After fertilization, the female lays an ootheca containing several dozen eggs. Incubation lasts approximately 1 to 3 months depending on the temperature.
Character :
- Nymph : Discreet and fragile, requiring controlled humidity.
- Adult : Active during the day, excellent predator that hunts by lying in wait, imitating the surrounding vegetation .
Lifetime :
- Nymph : 3 to 4 months depending on breeding conditions.
- Adult : 4 to 5 months for the female, 2 to 3 months for the male.
Size :
- Male : 3 to 4 cm, more slender body and developed wings.
- Female : 6 to 7 cm, more robust with a broad abdomen .
Breeder's Note :
By far the general public's favorite praying mantis. But to their dismay, one of the last I would recommend 😂.
She's not that hard to raise honestly, but let's just say she's not the most expressive of mantises and she requires a lot of care.
Where you can "forget" a Hierodula Transcaucasica for two or three days, don't even count on it with an orchid praying mantis. You'll have to check every day that it has eaten and that the humidity is within the prescribed range.
Nothing insurmountable but heating, hygrometer thermometer and discipline are recommended.
Yes yes, she is beautiful, she is a marvel of nature.
