Stagmatoptera femoralis (Black spot mantis)

Sold as unsexed nymphs.

Description:

Origin: Colombia                                              Temperature: 25c to 30c                 Humidty: 60% to 70%.                              Lifespan: 10 to 12 months

Feeding

L1 to L2 Nymphs: should be fed on D.melanogaster fruit flies.                                        L3 to L4 Nymphs: should be fed on D. hydei fruit flies.                                                                       L5 to L6 Nymphs: should be fed on Green bottle flies and Blue bottle flies.                                         L7 Nymphs to Adult: Should be fed on large prey items like locusts, cockroaches, gold flies and blowflies.

Housing 

Like all mantids, house in an enclosure at least 3 times the size of the mantis in hight and 2 time the size of the mantis in width

Size

Females grow up to 9-12 cm males 6-7cm

Sexing

Females are bright yellow and have 6 segments on their abdomen.                                                  Males are and intense green colour and have 8 segments on their abdomen

Moulting

Mantids moult a number of times during their life. Make sure the enclosure has enough vertical space for them to hang during moults. They may refuse food a day or two before moulting.Do not handle them immediately after moulting as the exoskeleton takes up to 48 hours to harden after moulting to prevent mismoults mist at least twice a day.