Ghost Mantis Phyllocrania paradoxa

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 dead leaf 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 or 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 and we sell them young before they start to show these colors.

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

Offered as L3 or so nymphs (have shed their skin about twice) and are feeding on house flies or D. hydei fruit flies (related products, below).

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