| Hierodula membranacea | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Mantodea |
| Family: | Mantidae |
| Genus: | Hierodula |
| Species: | H. membranacea |
| Binomial name | |
| Hierodula membranacea Burmeister, 1838 |
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Hierodula membranacea is a large mantid, sharing its common name giant Asian mantis with other large members of genus Hierodula. Its colours vary from green to yellow-green, or even brown to reddish-brown, similar to those of the giant Indian mantis and the giant Malaysian mantis. As the name suggests, it originates from southeast Asia and is among the largest of mantises. Male and female adults reach around 10 centimetres (3.9 in), excluding extended forelegs. It is a cannibalistic species, with the females eating the males after mating.
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Hierodula membranacea inhabits in shrubs and tree areas. It lives in hot and humid climates of temperatures of 22 to 30 °C (72 to 86 °F) with a humidity of 60% to 70%.
In captivity, faunariums should be set up with small branches and leaves, which can hold some moisture and keep humidity at a suitable level. The floor of the faunarium should be covered in substrate. Bark chips are usually a good choice because they can hold a lot of moisture and they are organic. The risk of disease may increase if the humidity is too high.
Mantises have a hard external skeleton called an exoskeleton. As they grow, the skin will get tighter and tighter until it is finally shed. As H. membranacea age, they will shed their exoskeleton several times until they reach adulthood.
The mantis should not be disturbed in any way during moulting. The mantis will not eat for a while before it sheds its skin. It also might not eat for a couple of days after the process. When the mantis has reached adulthood it will no longer need to shed, and should have its wings after moulting the final time.
Giant Asian mantises in captivity will feed on basically any given insect. There are exceptions, such as wasps and ants, as these can deal harm to the mantis. This species is particularly cannibalistic.[1] Cannibalism in this species is thought to increase female fecundity.[1] Daily spraying or misting in captivity gives the mantis the water it needs to survive. However, a mantis will readily drink water offered to it.
Reproduction occurs sexually in Hierodula membranacea, with very limited parthenogenesis abilities. A female can be identified from male by her six abdominal segments, whereas males have eight. She also has a much larger abdomen.
After mating, the female may attempt to eat the male to increase fertility. While this is beneficial to the female, the male will try to avoid being eaten.[2] The adult female will lay several egg cases (called oothecae) over her lifespan. These are best removed to a separate container as the mantises are cannibalistic. The oothecae are best suspended 6 to 10 centimetres (2.4 to 3.9 in) from the bottom of the container as the nymphs abseil down a thin thread to the container floor when hatching. Hatching takes place around six to eight weeks later and up to 150 nymphs can be expected.
This mantis can jump around twice its body length. When it is an adult, it will not need to jump since it will be able to fly, though adult females will still do this on occasion. The mantis should not be picked up as it may be injured or attack the handler's hand. It can usually be handled by allowing it to crawl onto a hand, by placing the hand in front of the mantis in a vertical position.