The numbers
Enclosure
20 × 20 × 30 cm
Diet
Flying prey — flies, moths · Every 2–3 days
Temperature
28–36°C by day; cool nights
Humidity
40–55% (arid, airy)
Identity
Order / Family
Mantodea
IUCN / CITES
Not evaluated; not CITES-listed
Difficulty
Intermediate–Advanced
Commonality
Uncommon
Adult size
F ~5–6 cm; M ~5 cm
Lifespan
F ~7–9 mo adult; total ~12–14 mo
Growth rate
Slow (long nymph stage)
Activity & niche
Diurnal · Arboreal arid ambush
Temperament
Calm; flying-prey specialist
Venom / defense
Harmless; grasp/pinch; deimatic display
Price (THB)
฿600–1,400
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
28–36°C by day; cool nights
Humidity
40–55% (arid, airy)
Min. enclosure
Mesh 20×20×30 cm; cannot climb glass well
Substrate
Dry sand/coco; mist plants only
Hides / decor / water
Twigs; light mist to drink; avoid stagnant damp
Diet
Staple food
Flying prey — flies, moths
Feeding frequency
Every 2–3 days
Supplements
None; gut-load flies
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Calm; handleable; avoid pre-moult
Communal
Semi — tolerant if spacious & well fed
Defense / stress signs
Threat display; sensitive to damp/mould
Reproduction
Reproduction
Ootheca; hatch ~5–8 wk
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsMould/mismoult if too humid, chilling stalls growth
Red flags / quarantine
SignsWon't take flies, mould, lethargy
Good to know
- A desert Empusid that overwinters as a nymph in cool arid scrub
Others in this group
Giant Asian MantisHierodula membranaceaGhost MantisPhyllocrania paradoxaAfrican Lined MantisSphodromantis lineolaChinese MantisTenodera sinensisOrchid MantisHymenopus coronatusHarabiro / Giant Asian MantisHierodula patelliferaGiant African MantisSphodromantis viridisJewelled Flower MantisCreobroter gemmatus