MrGhostMantis
Arachnoprince
- Joined
- Jun 26, 2019
- Messages
- 1,005
I’ve heard a lot about this species an have wanted to try it for a while. Well, here we go.
About 2 months ago, I was selling some Hierodula membranacea, and I was reached out to by DeShawn from Mantid Kingdom, one of the best sites you can buy from.
I figured out a deal with him and sent him 92 Hierodula for some store credit and a bit of money. I just kinda sat on that for a while then a few weeks ago, saw he had some Idolomantis diabolica for sale. I had heard so much about how hard this species was to keep and breed and I just HAD to try it out of curiosity.
I did my research, set up enclosures, and used my store credit on five L2 Devils flowers (and flies, and enclosures, the total was $175, YEESH). All came healthy 3 weeks later when he could ship due to the extreme temperatures, with 2 extras included. I was pretty ecstatic over the fact that I was FINALLY getting a chance to work with a difficult rare species like this after a years of mantis keeping!
My main goal in the end is to breed them, as most of these are from imported ooths coming from Africa. The little monsters are thriving right now at L2, soon to be L3, and chowing down on BBF every other day. I’ve been keeping them at 75° pretty constantly although temp sometimes heads up into the low 80’s which is fine for this species. Some people say to keep them hot and dry, other say room temp and moist, I’m right in the middle. I haven’t named any yet, I don’t want to get too attached just in case...you know...they all die. I doubt that will happen but you never know. It’s been nearly a week since I got them and they are still happy and active. I have them in 32oz modified deli cups right now so they can climb properly as they lack pullvi in their feet (correct me if that is spelled wrong). Fingers crossed in 6 months I’ll have some fertile oothecae!
About 2 months ago, I was selling some Hierodula membranacea, and I was reached out to by DeShawn from Mantid Kingdom, one of the best sites you can buy from.
I figured out a deal with him and sent him 92 Hierodula for some store credit and a bit of money. I just kinda sat on that for a while then a few weeks ago, saw he had some Idolomantis diabolica for sale. I had heard so much about how hard this species was to keep and breed and I just HAD to try it out of curiosity.
I did my research, set up enclosures, and used my store credit on five L2 Devils flowers (and flies, and enclosures, the total was $175, YEESH). All came healthy 3 weeks later when he could ship due to the extreme temperatures, with 2 extras included. I was pretty ecstatic over the fact that I was FINALLY getting a chance to work with a difficult rare species like this after a years of mantis keeping!
My main goal in the end is to breed them, as most of these are from imported ooths coming from Africa. The little monsters are thriving right now at L2, soon to be L3, and chowing down on BBF every other day. I’ve been keeping them at 75° pretty constantly although temp sometimes heads up into the low 80’s which is fine for this species. Some people say to keep them hot and dry, other say room temp and moist, I’m right in the middle. I haven’t named any yet, I don’t want to get too attached just in case...you know...they all die. I doubt that will happen but you never know. It’s been nearly a week since I got them and they are still happy and active. I have them in 32oz modified deli cups right now so they can climb properly as they lack pullvi in their feet (correct me if that is spelled wrong). Fingers crossed in 6 months I’ll have some fertile oothecae!
