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Orchid Mantis
(Hymenopus coronatus)
| Order |
Mantodea |
| Family |
Hymenopodidae |
| Subfamily |
Hymenopodinae |
| Tribe |
Mantini |
| First Described |
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-scroll down for photos-
The Orchid Mantis is easily the most
well-known and popular mantis pet in the world! They are different
colors at different ages. As 1st instar hatchlings, they resemble ants
with black bodies and red legs. After they shed their skin one time
(2nd instar), they become white. After a few molts (sheds), males
gradually gain a brownish-purple "necklace", while females' necklaces turn
green. Other than that, sexing Orchid Mantises is the same as for all
mantids...females have six abdominal segments; males eight.
Most Orchid Mantises are white, but sometimes
you'll get one with tints of pink. The pinkness can be faint or dark,
reaching almost a purplish color. Some people believe that humidity is
a factor, while others believe a particular color of background will induce
color change. Some people believe that they mantis has more control of
it's color changing, just following a molt. I'd tend to lean towards
the humidity argument, but I've seen hundreds of orchid mantises and haven't
really noticed any patterns. The L5 (fifth larval instar) female nymph
pictures below was white for several weeks following her last molt.
Suddenly, she began turning pink, while my others of similar age and kept in
identical conditions, did not!
At maturity, males Orchid Mantises are about a
third the length of females and maybe an eighth the mass. Males fly
well and mature far more quickly than females. This makes the Orchid
Mantis a little more challenging to breed, as you have to have males and
females maturing at about the same time.
They are called Orchid Mantises because they
mimic orchid flowers. Their back two sets of legs are elegantly lobed
They originate in Malaysia and other parts of
Asia.
Pink Morph Female L5
Adult Female
Sub-Adult
Male- Rare Photos of H. coronatus eating Orchid
Adult Male
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