Discover the Fascinating World of 'Specials'

Hymenopus coronatus

The nymph stage is L2 to L5. Please note: The Orchid Mantis is difficult to care for and not suitable for beginners.

Hymenopus coronatus is also known as the Orchid Mantis in English. It gets this name from its pink and white appearance, with which it mimics a flower. This species is highly sought after and loved because of its beautiful bright colors and its relatively large size. Hymenopus coronatus is native to Malaysia.

Appearance

This species of praying mantis mimics flower leaves so that it can catch passing bees and other pollinators attracted to flowers. They therefore mainly live on white and pink flowers such as orchids.

As newly hatched nymphs, these praying mantises are orange with a black head and black legs. After the first molt, they are white with bright pink. This remains the case for the rest of their lives, only some show more pink than others. It occurs that there are completely white animals. When they are adults, they have a green edge on their back that resembles a piece of plant. It is believed that the pink color becomes more prominent if the nymph is in a pink environment. A pink piece of paper along one side of the enclosure would result in pinker nymphs. As adults, they can also change color within a few days, to more or less pink.

An adult female grows to about 6 – 7 cm long, while the male only reaches about 3 cm. This difference is absolutely unmistakable. Furthermore, the males are also narrower with slightly longer wings than the abdomen. The females are wider and have wings that extend to the abdomen.

Behavior

Hymenopus coronatus is a calm species of praying mantis. It usually waits for prey. They can, however, actively hunt if they spot prey.

Environmental requirements

The ideal temperature is around 28 °C, but can vary between 25 °C and 35 °C. At night it can be slightly cooler than during the day, but at least 18 °C. The males should be inhibited in their growth by a lower temperature and less food. They can be kept constantly at 18 °C.
This species requires relatively high humidity. Approximately 60 to 80 % RH. Nymphs are better kept drier, as they are very sensitive to an overly humid environment. It is best to mist them very lightly once a week. As they get older, you should increase the humidity.
As with all species of praying mantis, this species requires an enclosure that is at least 3x the length of the animal in height, and at least 2x the length of the animal in width. For an adult animal, this means at least 24 cm in height and 16 cm in width. A good size for a terrarium would be 30 x 20 x 20 cm (h x w x l), so there is also room for artificial flowers and many perches.
 

Group housing

This species, like most praying mantis species, cannot be housed together in one enclosure. Sooner or later, cannibalism will strike. Females in particular are often very hungry. Males are also smaller, making them easy prey. It is therefore strongly recommended to house this species separately. As young nymphs, they can be kept together, up to about L3. Of course, feed them well with fruit flies and the like.
 

Food

Because this species lives on flowers, in nature it primarily eats flying insects. It is advisable to do this in captivity as well. Wild bees and hoverflies can be given as a supplement to a diet of houseflies. Crickets can also be fed, but preferably not as a main food.

Since pollinators such as bees often carry a lot of pollen in the wild, which is also eaten by this praying mantis, it can be useful to feed them pollen in captivity as well. Pollen granules can be ground and placed in a container. Food insects in that container, shake briefly, and ready to feed. The proteins and extra substances in the pollen are believed to result in stronger and healthier animals, and more offspring per ootheca.

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.

Giant Mantis Hierodula sp

The stage of the praying mantis is from L3 to L6

Information

Hierodula is also called Giant Mantis in English.

A Hierodula is easy to care for and grows large, making it a popular beginner species. Read more here for basic information about this special insect.

Appearance

This type of praying mantis is usually light green, but there are also yellow, beige, and brown variants. The beige animals, when adult, appear somewhat pinkish. The difference in color is mainly related to the environment in which the animal is kept. They can develop a different color within a few days.
This is one of the largest species of praying mantis successfully kept in captivity. Females grow larger than males. Males are narrower with slightly longer wings. Females are wider, with wings that reach the abdomen.

Behavior

Hierodula is a fierce type of praying mantis. It actively hunts its prey once it has spotted it. A cricket walking on the bottom of the enclosure is quickly noticed, and the chase is soon on. The prey then quickly ends up in the raptorial arms of this predator.

Food

Adult Hierodula can easily be fed adult crickets, as well as cockroaches and sub-adult locusts. They can also handle large adult locusts, but there is a small chance they might get injured by the jumping legs if they don't grasp them properly.

Environmental Requirements

The ideal temperature is about 24 °C, but room temperature is also fine. At night, it can be slightly cooler than during the day, but at least 18 °C.
This species does not have high demands for humidity, but it is important to mist daily or every other day. A guideline humidity is about 40 to 65%. Being too humid for too long is the number 1 cause of death for this species.
As with all praying mantis species, 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 27 cm in height and 18 cm in width. A good size for a terrarium would be 20 x 20 x 35, so there is also room for artificial plants and many perches.

Aqua Dragons Deluxe + Colour Led Aquarium  

A new world underwater. Add the eggs to the water and within 24 hours your new underwater animals will hatch, isn't that wonderful! These aquatic animals reproduce themselves, both with eggs and live birth, so with good care, you will enjoy them for a very long time!

Special aquatic animals  

The Aqua Dragons, also known as Sea Monkeys, are special aquatic animals. They twist and wriggle around in the water and can be easily observed in this unique full-colour aquarium!
 

Colour Led Functionality  

If the water temperature changes, the colour of the LEDs in the tank's design changes accordingly. This way, you can tell by the colour whether the temperature is good and remains so! It's also fun, for example, the first time when cold water is added and slowly comes up to room temperature before the eggs can be added.

Kit Contents  

- The Aqua Dragons tank (including colour LED lighting) with ample underwater living space. (15x3x15cm)
- The eggs that hatch after being added to the water.
- Enough food for the first year.
- Spoon/scoop to accurately measure the amount of food.
- Oxygen pipette.
- English manual. The Dutch manual is digital.

Aqua Dragons  

A new world underwater. Add the eggs to the water and within 24 hours your new underwater animals will hatch, isn't that wonderful! These aquatic animals reproduce themselves, both by laying eggs and live birth, so with good care you will enjoy them for a very long time!

Special aquatic animals  

Aqua Dragons, also called Sea Monkeys, are very special aquatic animals. They twirl and wriggle around in the water. Make a nice small tank for them yourself and observe them up close! (E.g. a vase, or plastic container.)

Contents of the blister  

- The eggs that hatch after being added to the water.
- Enough food for the first year.
- Spoon/scoop to measure the food accurately.
- Oxygen pipette.
- English manual. The Dutch manual is digital.

Aqua Dragons  

A new underwater world. Add the eggs to the water and within 24 hours your new underwater animals will hatch, isn't that wonderful! These aquatic animals reproduce both through eggs and live birth, so with proper care, you'll enjoy them for a very long time!

Special aquatic animals  

Aqua Dragons, also known as Sea Monkeys, are special aquatic animals. They twist and wriggle around in the water and are very easy to observe in this unique full-color aquarium!

Kit contents  

- The Aqua Dragons tank with ample underwater living space. (15x3x15cm)
- The eggs that hatch after being added to the water.
- Sufficient food for the first year.
- Spoon/scoop to accurately measure the amount of food.
- Oxygen pipette.
- English manual. The Dutch manual is digital.