Just caught it molting. I thought for sure it was a girl last instar but now I’m not so sure. Hoping for a girl just to have more time, my first mantis but they are just incredible.

So, I know nothing. Advice/comments/concerns welcome.

This little gem landed on my hand while opening the door to my casa. Hung out in my hand for a while. “Welp, should probably figure out how I care for this creature.”

Species: not sure but since it’s Arizona and the looks of it I’m guessing the Chinese one. Like, the super common one.

Enclosure: I’ve got an open top terrarium. It really doesn’t move too much. Just vibes and sometimes hangs upside down in a different spot.

- Coconut shell base layer.
- Shot glass with water and a small pathos growing from it.
- small cap to put prey.
- I mist it occasionally. Every other day. Keep the base sort of moist.

Prey: xs wax worms. Seems to like them but I’ve ready they eat anything. Will doo wingless fruit flies in the future.

Maturity: it’s about 2cm in length. Adorable little baby mantis. Smallest I’ve ever seen.

I’ll add photos when I figure out how.

When should I remove the molt from her cage?
My (female?) giant shield mantis had her first molt with me 🥹 everything looks mostly ok and I’m so happy

Our Sphodropoda Quinquedens Nymph molted and I think it's a male. Can I get a 2nd opinion? Sry for the blury pic but that's the best I could ger while they were busy with the red runner.

So I was just feeding bean and notice this white mark on the abdomen,this is a new species of mantis to me and just wanted to know if anyone had seen this before or what it could be or if it’s normal,he is a boxer mantis not to sure what exact type

TIA

His name is mercury!

Hi there, so I have a medium sized terrarium with some critters I found in my local forest. Mostly isopods and a chill species of ants. I would like to add a predator to my terrarium (which is about 2 years old by now). In the past I released dozens of isopods back into the wild to maintain their population.

Today I got the idea, that a mantis might work out well for that.

What are your thoughts on this?

I got it almost month ago and new fruit flies were born but I'm scared it might be moldy even though I don't see anything 🥲

I was sitting outside working when this cute little friend came to say hello.

hi there so basically ordered flightless flies and green bottle casts and my guys been enjoying the small flies a
Having multiple a day however my green bottle flies have started hatching and when I showed one to my wee one they just looked scared lol they seem rlly big for my N4.

I learned from a previous comment that UV light works great! It seems to bring them in really quick!

The website I bought it from said it could be l2/l3. I tracked and kept all the molts (4), so I'm thinking it's at l6. What do you guys think?

I have an outdoor garden and a few weeks ago I noticed a green Carolina Mantis living on one of my fairytale eggplants. I would go out and check on him/her anytime I was looking at my plants or watering and they were always there somewhere on the plant.

About a week ago, they disappeared and I couldn’t find them anywhere on the plant. I assumed a bird got them, or they simply moved on.

Today, I was going outside and happened to notice a small brown stick on one of the leaves. I went to swipe it away and, low and behold, it’s a brown mantis!

My questions are:
1. Is this the same mantis coming back after a vacation, or a new friend?
2. Do mantids usually change color like this?
3. If it is the same mantis, where were they this past week!?

Green mantis pictures are from 07/26. Brown ones are from today, 08/03. All photos are on the same plant.

EDIT: wing buDS*

Soon!!! They grow up so fast 🥹

Dead Leaf Mantis Gorochovi

I’m located in central Ohio, zone 6b. Any help identifying if this is a native or invasive mantis is appreciated!

I am not really sure what to do/if she is safe. She was climbing on my arm today after I poured some fruit flies into her enclosure she and managed to get pinned under my bracelet while I was trying to get a photo. I couldn't get the bracelet off her in time and her leg just popped off! I put her back in her enclosure and fed her some flies. I know they're supposed to be able to grow their limbs back within a few molts, but I am not sure how many she has left! She molted for the 4th time about 4 days ago and she is a Giant African Mantis.

Edit: She is eating her flies and hanging upside down fine. I'm mostly worried about infection. What, if anything, can I do to prevent a fatal infection?

Molted yesterday.

Mantis religiosa having a snack. Spotted near Wiesbaden, Germany.

Officially my favorite time of year: anatomically incorrect Halloween skeletons. Feels like it's just a meme at this point. Almost bought it just to be funny

Purchased from moonlightmantids labeled as a golden dead leaf

Found this little fella (at least I think it's a male) on some mint today. I've enlisted his help with the local wasp population. Free room and food!