Latin name: Phyllocrania paradoxa
Our stock: We have several unsexed L2-L3s available. They are a little smaller than a dime including leg span. They are around 2weeks old.
Photos are representative of our general stock.
They are eating live pinhead crickets and melanogaster fruit flies.
Habitat: These mantids are widespread throughout almost all of sub-Saharan Africa and the southern Mediterranean as well. They inhabit dry shrub lands and anywhere else where there’s an abundance of dry leaves.
Lifestyle: These alien-like mantids evolved to mimic dead, dry leaves. Because of this adaptation, they are effectively able to hide from predators and sneak up on prey.
Size and Lifespan: They are sexually dimorphic with females being heavier-bodied, and stouter than males. Mature males are thinner and will also grow a long set of wings that extend past their abdomen. A female’s wings will stay shorter and only reach the end of the abdomen.
Both sexes can reach up to 2” in length.
Lifespan differs greatly depending on the sex of the mantis. Males typically top out at 4 months. Females can live up to 8 months.
Quick care stats:
Temperatures: 78 degrees Fahrenheit on the warm end, 75 degrees Fahrenheit on the cool end.
Humidity: 60%-80% Manually mist lightly in the AM and PM or set up an automatic mister to do the job.
Tank size: 1-5 gallons or smaller for babies, 10+ gallons for adults.
Tank type: low rectangle-allow for ample floor space.
Lighting: Both a heat pad and a dimmable heat lamp are recommended, especially in winter. Thermostats are also helpful. Full spectrum UVB lighting is not required for this species but is recommended to simulate a natural day/night cycle.
Substrate and furniture: Soil or coconut fiber substrate 1"deep. Provide lots of hiding places In the form of leafy sticks and branches. Provide a small water dish that is not so deep that the mantis cannot climb back out on its own.
Handling: Ghost Mantises can we skittish but overall do all right with handling. We recommend no more than two times per week with handling sessions limited to less than 10 minutes.
Feeding: 1 appropriately sized insect prey item no more than 1x per week. Mantises can eat most small feeder insects including crickets but really prefer flies as part of their natural diet.
Always remove uneaten food items if they have not been consumed after 8 hours.