African Mantis (lineola)

The African mantis (Sphodromantis lineola) is a large mantid widespread in sub-Saharan Africa. It is usually green, but beige and brown forms occur and brown individuals may show purple compound eyes. It is told from the related S. baccettii by the absence of blue-black spots on the forearms. Females are about 8cm with wings reaching the end of the abdomen; males are 6-7cm, slimmer, with wings slightly longer than the body, and both carry a yellowish spot on the wings. A fierce hunter that chases prey once spotted, the female handles very large food. In threat it raises the wings and swings the forelegs sideways to show eyespots. Keep at about 25C, 22-30C being acceptable, with nights above 17C. Strongly cannibalistic, it is housed singly from the fourth instar. Mating is possible 2-4 weeks after the final moult: pair with a well-fed female and remove the male as soon as the hours-long mating ends. It is one of the most studied mantises in motion detection and stereo vision research and the species in which a mantis sex pheromone was first indicated.

Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

The African Mantis (lineola) lives Adults 3-6 months.

The African Mantis (lineola) grows to Females about 8cm, males 6-7cm.

The ideal temperature for the African Mantis (lineola) is 25℃. Ideal humidity is 50〜60%.

Humidity of 50-60% suffices, misting about twice a week for drinking.