About the Tropical Flower Mantis

Appearance

• Like other types of mantises, the tropical flower mantis has three distinct body parts. The pattern and color over their legs, thorax and abdomen closely resemble the pattern and color of the flower blossoms they live on. The females reach a mature size of 1 to 2 inches long, while the males grow only about half as large. Like others in their genus, these mantises have long, folded forelegs that give them the appearance of a praying pose.

Habitat

• Tropical flower mantises live their entire lives near the blossoming parts of tropical plants. The young nymphs hatch out from egg sacks placed in protected areas of the plants, such as under leaves or blossoms. As they grow, they form wings that allow them to fly to neighboring blossoms or away from their natural predators. Although they blend well with the blossoms, area birds, bats and spiders consume tropical flower mantises as part of their regular diet, though these predators usually catch the winged adults in flight.

Feeding

• Praying mantises are beneficial insects in the garden, having a positive impact on the ecosystem. They lie in wait for food to come to the host blossom, then they quickly grasp and consume the visiting insect. Although they help keep down the population of harmful garden pests, their diet doesn't discriminate between beneficial and destructive bugs.

Pet Care

• Although tropical flower mantises are rare and are native only to tropical regions of the world, some insect suppliers sell them as exotic pets. Caring for these unusual creatures involves recreating their natural habitat inside a terrarium. They require high levels of humidity and daily feedings of flying insects such as moths, bees and wasps. The young nymphs need daily sprayings of misted water to provide an adequate level of humidity within the enclosure.