Paradoxa Mantis

The nymph stage is between L3 and L7.

Information

Phyllocrania paradoxa is also called the Ghost Mantis in English. It owes this name to its unique shapes and alien-like head. The species can be recognized by a long, asymmetrically shaped protrusion on its head, which serves to make it look more like a dry leaf. Phyllocrania paradoxa is native to Madagascar and Africa.

Appearance

This species of praying mantis mimics dry leaves, so it blends in with fallen leaves in the forest areas where it lives. This allows it to unexpectedly snatch prey and remain unseen by predators such as insect-eating birds. The most common color for this species is dark brown, but sometimes green specimens can also be found. This color is determined by the environment; a more humid, greener environment often results in a green animal. P. paradoxa grows to about 5 cm long, with little difference in size between the sexes. Males are narrower with slightly longer wings than the abdomen. Females are wider with a broader prothorax and with wings that reach the abdomen.

Behavior

Phyllocrania paradoxa is a calm species of praying mantis. It is a typical sit-and-wait predator. Relying on its camouflage, it patiently waits for unsuspecting prey to pass by. As soon as it spots prey, it strikes lightning fast, and before the prey knows it, it is firmly caught between the raptorial forelegs of this predator. P. paradoxa will rarely actively chase prey, but rather wait for a suitable moment to strike. Sometimes this species of praying mantis is also a bit cautious and shy. A large pair of tweezers or a large hand in the enclosure will cause it to refuse prey. Just wait fifteen minutes and try again, and everything will be fine.

Food

Phyllocrania paradoxa primarily eats flying insects in the wild. It would therefore be good to offer them flies instead of crickets. However, crickets are also readily eaten and are therefore also excellent food for these animals. Just make sure that there are no loose crickets in the enclosure when the praying mantis is molting. An adult P. paradoxa can handle adult crickets, but it is better to give them smaller crickets, e.g., size 6 or 7. P. paradoxa are somewhat easily intimidated by large tweezers with prey.

Environmental requirements

The ideal temperature is about 26 °C, but can vary between 20 °C and 30 °C. At night, it can be slightly cooler than during the day, but at least 18 °C. This species needs relatively high humidity, about 60 to 90%. This is achieved by spraying with water about 5 times a week. As with all species of praying mantises, this species needs an enclosure that is at least 3 times the length of the animal in height and at least 2 times the length of the animal in width. For an adult animal, this means at least 15 cm in height and 10 cm in width. A good size for a terrarium would be 20 x 20 x 30, so there is also room for artificial plants and many perches. Dry leaves blend beautifully with this species; sometimes they completely disappear into the environment.

Group housing

The special thing about this species of praying mantis is that they can often be kept together their entire lives without cannibalism. The conditions for this are that the animals always have enough to eat and that the enclosure is sufficiently large. Many people successfully keep groups of P. paradoxa in a large terrarium. The chance of cannibalism is then small, but with this type of predator, it always exists.