The numbers
Enclosure
25 × 20 × 25 cm
Diet
Small soft prey — small roach nymphs, flies, firebrats · Every 2–3 days; prefers ground/bark prey
Temperature
25–30°C day; humid nights
Humidity
60–70% day; 70–90% night
Identity
Order / Family
Mantodea
IUCN / CITES
Not evaluated; not CITES-listed
Difficulty
Advanced
Commonality
Rare (specialist)
Adult size
F ~3.5–4 cm; M ~3 cm
Lifespan
F ~6–8 mo adult; total ~10–12 mo
Growth rate
Medium
Activity & niche
Diurnal · Bark-dwelling (flat), fast runner
Temperament
Shy, quick; hides in bark crevices
Venom / defense
Harmless; grasp/pinch; escapes rather than displays
Price (THB)
฿1,200–3,000
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
25–30°C day; humid nights
Humidity
60–70% day; 70–90% night
Min. enclosure
Flat-oriented 25×20×25 cm with cork bark; airy
Substrate
Coco/leaf litter; keep humid
Hides / decor / water
Cork bark slabs with crevices; warm basking ledge; mist
Diet
Staple food
Small soft prey — small roach nymphs, flies, firebrats
Feeding frequency
Every 2–3 days; prefers ground/bark prey
Supplements
None; gut-load feeders
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Fast and skittish; not ideal to handle
Communal
Sometimes — reported non-cannibalistic but keep watched
Defense / stress signs
Bolts for cover; refuses food if too exposed
Reproduction
Reproduction
Ootheca laid in bark crevices; poorly documented in culture
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsRefusal to feed if husbandry wrong, mismoult
Red flags / quarantine
SignsWon't settle/feed, lethargy, mould
Good to know
- Metallic green-purple sheen is unique among mantids; a living jewel of bark
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