Asian Flower Mantis (Creobroter apicalis)

Asian Flower Mantis (Creobroter apicalis)

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Setup

Enclosure should be at least 3 times as tall as the mantis is long, and at least 2 times as wide as the mantis is long. Mesh at the top of their enclosure is necessary for molting and proper air flow.

Recommended Enclosure Sizes:
i1-i3: 5.5oz
i4-i5: 16oz
i6-i9: 32oz

Decor:
Fake or live plants may be provided along with branches. Do not over clutter the enclosure, ensure there is proper room for molting.

Temperature & Humidity:
70°-83°
50%-80%

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Feeding

Provide food when mantises abdomen is flat, most nymphs need to eat every 2-3 days, I recommend offering 4-5 fruit flies per feeding, provide less if they look bloated and more if their abdomen appears flats. Individuals that are gravid or about to molt will have full looking abdomens even if they are hungry, I recommend offering a meal just to be safe.

Recommended Foods:
i1-i3: D. Melanogaster Fruit Flies, D. Hydei Fruit Flies
i4-i6: D. Hydei Fruit Flies, House Flies, Small Roaches
i6-i9: Roaches, Mealworms, Waxmoths, Blue Bottle Flies, 

DO NOT FEED CRICKETS, they harbor diseases & bacteria, which can caused sickness or even death in your mantis. Crickets are only safe if bred and raised by you or a reputable mantis keeper for many generations in a clean environment.
DO NOT FEED WILD CUAGHT PREY, they can transmit parasites & diseases to your mantis, all feeders should be captive bred.

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Molting & Sexing

Asian flower mantises can molt 6-8 times, once the gain their wings they are a full grown. Males molt into adulthood at i7-i8, while female molt into adulthood at i8-i9. Once they reach i4 they can be sexed by counting segments, females will have 6 segments, while males will have 8.

Signs of molting:
Refusing to eat
Plump abdomen
Hanging upside down more than usual

After a mantis molts, they need time to harden their exoskeleton, do not handle or feed them for 24-48 hours.

Buy your own mantis here!