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Size
Up to about 3.5 inches (9 cm) in length -
Diet
Smaller insects including roaches, crickets and grasshoppers -
Range
Southeast Asia -
Habitat
Trees and thick shrubs
Physical Characteristics
- Color ranges from pale neutral beige and yellow to green and brown. Color changes have been observed taking place over a course of days.
- This species is one of the largest mantids. Females are larger and heavier than males.
- Adults can fly.
- Up to about 3.5 inches (9 cm) in length.
Animal Fact
The golden giant Asian mantis is an active and aggressive hunter, and will attack insects that are near its own size or smaller.
Diet / Feeding
- Insectivores; diet consists of other, smaller insects including roaches, crickets and grasshoppers.
- This mantis is an active and aggressive hunter, and will attack insects that are near its own size or smaller.
- Adults display cannibalism.
Range / Habitat
- Occurs across Southeast Asia.
- Found primarily in trees and thick shrubs.
Reproduction & Growth
- Eggs are laid in a group case called an ootheca. More than 100 nymphs can successfully hatch from a single ootheca, and healthy females can produce as many as eight oothecae.
- Nymphs resemble miniature adults.
- As they grow, nymphs molt, but once adult size has been attained, no further molts take place.
Conservation Status
- “Not Evaluated” on the IUCN Red List.
Additional Information
- This is a popular mantid species in zoos and aquariums, as well as with home hobbyists, because of their large size and varied diet.
- This species has a confident, steady temperament – most can be easily handled by keepers.
Sources
- Keepinginsects.com
- Insects, Peterson Field Guides
- A Guide to Insects and Spiders, Audubon Society
