Phyllocrania paradoxa
the "Ghost Mantis"
Phyllocrania paradoxa, or the ghost mantis, is a very popular leaf-mimicing species that comes in an incredible array of colors; while they're often a brown or red-brown color, they can end up various shades of brown, tan, red, orange, gold, green, or even the illusive black.
Ghost mantises are generally docile and easy to handle and are incredibly charming and amusing with their funky head shapes and innocent swaying-leaf dances. They can also be very dramatic, though - when feeling very threatened, they may drop and play dead to mimic a fallen leaf!
• Adult Size: ~2in
• Instars: 8
• Lifespan:
⠀⠀♀️ up to 1.5+ yrs (6-12 months as adults)
⠀⠀♂️ ~7-12 mo (~2-4 months as adults)
Housing
Feeding
Hierodula are voracious eaters and should not be picky about food.
Feeding Chart
i1-i3: fruit flies (D. hydei; D. melanogaster not required)
i4-i5: houseflies / greenbottle flies, small roaches, small moths
i6-i7: greenbottle/bluebottle flies, roaches, moths, small locusts/hoppers
i8-adult: roaches, locusts/hoppers
Growth & Molting
a
Sexing
Hierodula nymphs have no sexual dimorphism in their general appearance until around subadult, and can only be sexed by looking at the ventral (underside) abdominal segments starting at i4-i5.
Males have 8 segments with skinny last segments, while older instar females have 6 segments with a long last segment and eventual ovipositor. Nymphs that are younger than i4-i5 will all look male, as females only begin developing the subgenital plate at the last segments at these instars. This developing plate will have a noticeable wavy, rounded, or "M" shape distinct from straight male segments and will begin overlapping the last segments before developing into the ovipositor with further molts. The difference at i4 is much more subtle than i5, and can also vary by individual; therefor, it can be hard to see without a very clear photo, and i5 can be easier and more reliable to sex.
i2 female
i2 male
i5 male
i5 female
As adults, Hierodula have basic dimorphism: males are more slender with longer/thicker antennae, more prominent ocelli (the small eyes on the top of their head), and longer, more translucent wings than females.
adult male Hierodula membranacea
adult female Hierodula membranacea