The numbers
Enclosure
30 × 30 × 40 cm
Diet
Flying prey only — flies, moths; will not chase food · Every 2–3 days; ambush feeder
Temperature
28–38°C by day (hot); night cooler
Humidity
40–60% (dry with airflow)
Identity
Order / Family
Mantodea
IUCN / CITES
Not evaluated; not CITES-listed
Difficulty
Intermediate
Commonality
Fairly common
Adult size
F ~8–9 cm; M ~7–8 cm (very slender)
Lifespan
F ~8–10 mo adult; total ~12–14 mo
Growth rate
Slow (long nymph stage)
Activity & niche
Diurnal · Arboreal ornate ambush (needs heat)
Temperament
Docile, slow, ornate; flying-prey specialist
Venom / defense
Harmless; grasp/pinch; camouflage as dry twig/flower
Price (THB)
฿500–1,200
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
28–38°C by day (hot); night cooler
Humidity
40–60% (dry with airflow)
Min. enclosure
Mesh/screen 30×30×40 cm; cannot climb glass
Substrate
Dry coco/sand; light mist on plants only
Hides / decor / water
Many twigs (Empusid needs mesh); mist 1–2×/day to drink
Diet
Staple food
Flying prey only — flies, moths; will not chase food
Feeding frequency
Every 2–3 days; ambush feeder
Supplements
None; gut-load flies
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Docile and slow; handleable; avoid pre-moult
Communal
Yes — classic communal Empusid if spacious & well fed
Defense / stress signs
Sways; freezes; ignores non-flying prey
Reproduction
Reproduction
Ootheca; hatch ~5–8 wk; slow-growing nymphs
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsMismoult on smooth surfaces, too-low heat stalls growth
Red flags / quarantine
SignsWon't take flies, lethargy, dark patches
Good to know
- Its violin-shaped body and leaf-lobed legs make it a living dry twig
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