Thistle mantis Bleharopsis mendica L3/L4 Nymphs

The Thistle Mantis, or more specifically Blepharopsis mendica is a beautiful species of praying mantis from Throughout the Mediterranean Middle East and southern Asia, and on the Canary Islands. also sometimes also called Small Devil’s Flower Mantis

This species of praying mantis is creamy-white to beige with light green stripes and light green “veins” on the wings as adults. On its back this mantis has a small pointed shield under which the forearms are being kept. The inside of the front legs are orange and blue white white spots. These colors are shown in the threatening posture to deter predators. Blepharopsis mendica will grow to a size of about 5 to 6 cm, with little difference in size between the sexes. The males are more slender with wings that reach a little bit over the end of the abdomen. The females are bulkier with a wider prothorax and with wings that extend to just the end of the abdomen. The females have thin antennae while adult males have feathered antennae (antennae with large thick “hairs” on it).

Care:

• GENERAL INFORMATION

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• Scientific name: Blepharopsis mendica
• Distribution: Northern-Africa, Southwest-Asia, Turkey
• Max. size: male ~6 cm, female ~7 cm
• KEEPING

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• Temperature:day 30 - 40 °C, night room temperature
• Relative humidity:~ 30 - 40 %, 60 % with good ventilation!
• Recommended min. size of terrarium WxDxH:20 x 20 x 30 cm
• Aggressive against each other:middle
• Level of difficulty:mid
• BIOLOGY

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• Molts until fully grown:female ~ 8 (adult in L9), male ~ 7 (adult in L8)
• Sexually mature after last molt:female ~ 2 weeks, males a little earlier
• MORE

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• Feeding
  L1: Small fruit flies Melanogaster
  L2/L3: Big fruit flies D. Hydei
  L4/L5: Green-bottle flies (Houseflies)
  L6 bis adult: Bluebottle flies
• Good to know:

  This species needs a hot and dry environment. It is often called the "little sister" of Idolomantis diabolica,