Ghost Mantis

Description

The ghost mantis Phyllocrania paradoxa, has a scientific name almost as cool as their worldwide common name “ghost mantis”. These are really a kind of flower mantis disguised as a deadleaf mantis. If that isn’t confusing enough, they blend all the traits of all other popular hobby mantises with their flanged legs, wide shield-like pronotum (behind their heads), crowned/crested heads, leafy flanging on either side of the abdomen and cryptic, dead leaf coloration. Individuals are usually a medium brown color, though green and dark brown specimens are not uncommon. They don’t differentiate in coloration until they approach maturity.

They are renowned for being one of the only mantises that can be kept communally with little risk of cannibalization.

~L3 nymphs, unsexed (have shed their skin about twice). $14 each.

Click here for a care sheet.