Spiny Flower Mantis

Looks how to spot one

Exoskeleton

This small mantis has a slender body with spiny projections on the underside of the abdomen. Its colour varies from light green to yellow, pink or red. The forewings bear a large, striking eyespot in black, green and cream, surrounded by a green patch. The inner hind wings are orange, the outer ones transparent. Nymphs are black until the third instar.1

Personality what they are like

Spiny flower mantises are skittish and easily stressed. They are highly aggressive towards other mantises and will cannibalise each other, so they must be housed alone. They are not social and do not enjoy handling; if they show a threat pose, it means they are frightened and should be left alone.42

Daily activity how busy a day looks

They are ambush predators that spend most of their time still, waiting for prey. They need an enclosure with plenty of climbing branches and mesh to hang from. They are good fliers and may use this ability in a large enclosure.4

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

No grooming needed. The enclosure should be spot-cleaned weekly and the substrate replaced when soiled. Provide a shallow water dish or mist the enclosure lightly every other day for hydration. Ensure excellent cross-ventilation to prevent stagnant air and mould.34

Home where they are happiest

Keep at 21-30°C (70-85°F) with a night drop to around 23°C. Humidity should be 40-60% during the day, rising to 60-80% at night. The enclosure must be at least three times the mantis's length in height to allow safe moulting. A 20 x 20 x 30 cm terrarium is suitable for an adult. Use a mesh lid and side ventilation holes. Substrate can be kitchen towel or coco coir; provide wood wool or twigs for climbing.263

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Feed live prey only. Young nymphs (L1-L2) eat small fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster or D. hydei). From L3 onward they can take larger fruit flies, house flies, green bottle flies, small cockroaches and small crickets. Adults eat blue bottle flies, medium cockroaches, mealworms (as treats) and wax moths. Prey should be no larger than one third of the mantis's body length.34

Company who they like around

This species is solitary and highly aggressive towards other mantises. They must never be housed together as they will fight and cannibalise each other. They only meet in the wild to mate, and even then the female often eats the male.42

The story where it all began

The spiny flower mantis is native to southern and eastern Africa, where it lives in damp meadows and shrubs, often lying in wait on flowers. It has been kept in captivity for many years and is considered a good beginner mantis because of its manageable size and relatively simple care. Its striking eyespot pattern and threat display make it popular among insect enthusiasts.15