Mantid question-help!

[carpe scorpio]

I would like to know what species grows the largest and has the longest lifespan?, hopefully both traits belong to the same mantis. I must admit I know very little about these beautiful predators.

 

[carpe scorpio]

Ok, 10 views and no responses, tricky question?. At least say you are not sure, give me a link etc..

 

[Fergrim]

At least two of them have been by me and I really don't have a clue. I'm looking for an answer to this question also

 

[thedreadedone]

biggest mantid

Chinese Mantid Tenodera aridifolia
hi
as far as im aware, this is the biggest mantid.
im not sure how long it will live

 

[carpe scorpio]

Thank you very much for the information. It does look large enough.http://www3.ocn.ne.jp/~hoehoe/animal/ookamakiri/kamakiri.JPG

 

[Elytra and Antenna]

I posted some D.desiccata pics last week if you look for them. There's a neat size comparison with Pseudocreobotra. D.desiccata is probably the biggest based on sheer mass. There are longer mantids like Tenodera and Heterochaeta (Heterochaeta is 1"+ longer than Tenodera BTW) but those are not as 'big' because they are long and skinny. Also D.desiccata are long lived compared to other mantids and tie with Sphodromantis. The answer (luckily to both your questions) is:
Deroplatys desiccata or the Malaysian giant deadleaf

 

[Brian S]

Stan, Are you getting into mantids now? I have 2 Chinese Mantids. The only mantids I have ever kept will only live for 1 season but I have never kept tropical species.

Mantidassasin, How long will the Dead Leaf Mantid live?

 

[carpe scorpio]

Thanks guys, this is very useful info, and yes Brian, I'm getting interested in these awsome killers.

 

[Elytra and Antenna]

Mantidassasin, How long will the Dead Leaf Mantid live?

For comparison, Tenodera max out around four months after reaching adulthood while desiccata max out around ten months after reaching adulthood.

 

[conway]

Hierodula trimaculata are about the same size as chinese mantids, can grow bigger, but Rhombodera basalis is easily the biggest when adult

 

[carpe scorpio]

Thanks for all the useful info, now I need a nice hex-tank.