The
Parasphendale, a beautiful, mottled mantis, growing
to very fat adults. Females only possess small bud
wings, which where their name comes from.
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One of the only species to posses only bud wings
as adult, the Parasphendale is a wonderful looking
species, with large pink eyes. Males will sprout
fully-grown wings as adult, growing just over
the end of their abdomen; females however will
grow just small wing buds as adult. They only
really come in a standard mottled colour, with
brown, white, beige, and black covering their
body and wings. When threatened, they will reveal
splendid colours on the forearms, and hold them
out beside their head in a way that will scare
predators. Adults will raise their wings, to
reveal red and orange colours, again to try
and warn off predators. Females can reach up
to 8cm in length, whilst males remain at around
4-5cm, and this is the easiest way of determining
sex. It can also be done by using the usual
method, 8 segments for the male, and 6 or 7
for the female.
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Being a beginner species, the Parasphendale
does not need any special conditions for its
existence in captivity. They will live happily
at room temperature (20-25c), and are able
to live their whole lives at this temperature.
However, if you wish to speed up growth, and
increase the metabolism, then warmer temperatures
of around 30c will be needed. High humidity
is not required. Although, as young, spraying
2-3 times a week will help to overcome any
problems with shedding of skin. As larger
nymphs, when the wing buds start to swell,
or any other signs of shedding approach, it
will suffice to spray the mantis at that point.
Again, this will help overcome any problems
with skin shedding.
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A fairly large enclosure will be needed for
specimens of L6/7 upwards. Being a fairly long
mantis, there must be enough height for successful
skin shedding. Failure to do this can result
in the mantis becoming entangled in its skin,
and crippling the mantis. The Parasphendale
are a species that like to hunt, so this can
be satisfied again, by using a large enclosure.
Put leaves and twigs in the tank to stimulate
its natural habitat, but also to add interest
to make it appealing to the eye. There must
be a suitable surface for the mantis to grip
on to, such as a mesh or net lid.
The Parasphendale is a very ferocious eater,
and will consume nearly any food that will pass
it. Because of this, you must limit the amount
given to them as there have been cases where
they have eaten to death. Standard live food
such as crickets, locusts, wax worms and mealworms
are good, however, the diet must be varied.
Flies, wasps, bees, moths, and any other flying
insect found outside will be much appreciated,
and will be naturally gut-loaded. By offering
a varied diet, you will notice that each specimen
will be much larger, and will produce a much
larger, more fertile ootheca. Do be careful
when offering prey, making sure that it will
not be to large for the mantis to catch, or
consume. There have been many accounts of live
food eating the mantis, so any food which ash
not been consumed within a day or so, should
be removed.
Ootheca can hatch up to 150 nymphs, all emerging
at once. These are very easy to look after,
and will live happily in a ventilated mesh enclosure.
After 2-3 days, the nymphs will readily feed
on fruit flies (Drosophila sp.) and pin head
crickets. Cannibalism will set in at a very
early stage, sometimes at L2. When this starts
to happen, separate when you have a desired
amount left for culture.
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The Bug Winged Mantis is a lovely species, and
not only an easy species to keep, but a very
pretty one to. One of the easiest species to
breed, and ootheca are very easy to hatch. Females
have one of the most ferocious natures of any
mantis, and can be very entertaining to watch
feed, and hunt down prey.
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