Spiny Flower Mantis Caresheet
Pseudocreobotra is a genus of flower mantises that contains several species below it. Each species looks strikingly similar to each other in color and appearance, but vary slightly in size. All specimens in this genus are native to Sub-Saharan Africa, and have near identical care requirements. Therefore, this caresheet will apply to any mantis under the genus "Pseudocreobotra".
Housing
The Spiny Flower Mantis should be kept in an enclosure that is at least 3 times as tall as the mantis is long, and at least 2 times as wide as the mantis is long.
The enclosure must have adequate ventilation, and some kind of material on the ceiling of the enclosure which will allow the mantis to hang upside down during molting, as well as an empty space at the top which is at least 2 times the size of the mantis.
This species does not have very high demands in terms of humidity, therefore, the are best suited for screen or mesh cages. They will often prefer a simple enclosure with silk plants (such as an Ivy Branch, Leafy Branch, Orchid Flower, or White Flower) and an easily disposable substrate such as sphagnum moss, or even just a paper towel that you can change once a week.
We do not recommend housing this species communally. Given their high level of aggression towards each other, cannibalism can definitely be a concern, and the higher the instar, the larger this risk becomes!
Temperature & Humidity
Spiny Flower mantises are native to sub-Saharan Africa, so the ideal temperature for this species is about 80-85°F, but they can tolerate a range between 75°F and 87°F. Humidity should be kept between 40% and 60% relative humidity (RH).
The enclosure should be given a light misting once a day so they can drink. Most mantises do not like getting sprayed directly, so it is best to try and spray around the mantis, but if you get them a little wet by accident, it is usually no big deal. Use spring water, distilled water, or water filtered by reverse osmosis (RO), but do not use plain tap water.
The enclosure should be given a light misting at least once a day so that your mantis can drink. When kept in mesh cages, we mist the enclosure twice a day. Most mantises do not like getting sprayed directly, so it is best to try and spray around the mantis, but if you get them a little wet by accident, it is usually no big deal. Use spring water, distilled water, or water filtered by reverse osmosis (RO), but do not use plain tap water.
Feeding
Spiny Flower mantises prefer flying insects throughout their entire lifecycle.
- L1 through L2 nymphs: Should be fed D. melanogaster fruit flies.
- L3 and L4 nymphs: Should be fed D. hydei fruit flies.
- L5 nymph to adult: Should be fed house flies or blue bottle flies.
These mantises have strong forearms, and a big appetite while they are growing up, and therefore can handle rather large prey compared to their body sizes. They will not chase after food though, as they are not a very active species. Instead they prefer to remain completely still, disguised as part of the environment, waiting to strike when an unsuspecting insect walks by.
For additional information about the Spiny Flower mantis, including breeding and ootheca care please reference the links below:
Spiny Flower Mantis (Psuedocreobotra wahlbergii) Caresheet – Keeping Insects
Spiny Flower Mantis (Psuedocreobotra wahlbergii) Caresheet – Mantid Forum
