Thistle mantis Blepharopsis mendica

The Thistle Mantis, or more specifically Blepharopsis mendica, is a beautiful praying mantis from the Mediterranean Middle East, southern Asia, and the Canary Islands. Also sometimes 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 kept. The inside of the front legs are orange and 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 slightly over the end of the abdomen. The females are bulkier, with a wider prothorax and wings extending to just the end of the abdomen. The females have thin antennae, while adult males have feathered antennae (with large, thick “hairs” on them).

Care:

• GENERAL INFORMATION

  ---

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

  ---

• 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

  ---

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

Feeding

• Good to know:

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