Hierodula membranacea

The Indian giant praying mantis is probably the number one mantid hobby. It also tolerates minor mistakes in posture and is robust.

Anything that can be overwhelmed is eaten as food. Even larger crickets or cockroaches do not pose a problem. The females also like to be kept free in the room if the conditions are right. From L3/L4 the mantids should be placed individually as they show a high level of aggression.

• Origin: South and Southwest Asia
• Size: Females up to 11cm & males up to 9cm
• Temperature: 22° C to 29°C
  
• Humidity: 50% to 70%
• Food: fruit flies, cockroaches, crickets, grasshoppers.
• Terrarium: away 20x20x30cm for adult animals
• Life expectancy: Females up to 1.5 years, males up to 1 year

• Aggressiveness: High