Spiny Flower Mantis - Pseudocreobotra wahlbergii

Small flower mantis originally from Africa.  Early instar nymphs are black and adults are usually white with orange/green stripes, an eyespot on their forewings, and yellow hindwings.  Like the name suggests, this mantis has spiny structures on its abdomen.  It usually waits for prey to approach but some will actively hunt their prey when detecting movement.  Diet should be flying insects appropriate for its size (fruit flies when young and eventually moving on to house flies and bottle flies as it grows) but will also take the occasional waxworm, wax moth, mealworm, or roach.  This species should be kept at daytime temperatures between 75 and 85 F and misted every other day to allow it to drink.  Enclosure width should be 2 times the mantis' length and height should be 3 times the mantis' length.  Cross ventilation is important and humidity should be moderate, ~60% RH.  Not a communal species - only one should be housed per enclosure.  These are captive-bred for pet or educational purposes only - not to be released in the wild. 

Nymphs are sold unsexed unless otherwise specified.