Giant Papuan Mantis - Hierodula Sp.papua - Butterfly Plants

L2-3 Nymphs Available
The Giant Papuan Mantis make a great alternative to the standard Giant Asian mantis. Being a bit larger and with the chance to turn an amazing blue colouration once mature it makes a beautiful addition to any collection. 

The care requirements are similar to the Giant Asian mantis but these like slightly higher humidity and feeding more frequently (every few days).

Care requirements:
   Temperature: 16-26 degrees. House temperature is typically alright for these mantis.
   Humidity: 70%-90%
   Food: Live insects. They are not picky on what they eat, normally catching prey up-to half their own size. Currently feeding on fruit flies but will eat small crickets and meal worms. Make sure to feed them at least twice a week.
   Size: 7-11cm Males are much smaller then the females with this species.
   Lifespan: 18-24 months
   Enclosure: As a minimum they need an enclosure that's three times their own height and twice the length of themselves. So for an adult the minimum I would recommend is a 20cm by 20cm by 30cm tall enclosure.
   Breeding: This is a relatively easy mantis to breed. Once mature, make sure the female is well fed and introduce her to the male. The male should hopefully spot her and creep up behind her. Keep an eye on them at this stage and intervene if the female is overly interested in the male. Mating can last from 2-8 hours at which point the male will dismount and run away. 
Keep the female well fed and she should lay her first ootheca after a couple weeks. The ootheca will hatch about 4-5 weeks after being laid and can contain up-to 300 nymphs. Young nymphs start to cannibalize a week after hatching so its a good idea to separate them if you don't want too many losses.