Peacock Mantis

Pseudempusa pinnapavonis

MantisintermediateHarmless

No venom, no sting

Mantises are harmless to humans. They have no venom or sting — the worst they can do is grip with their spined forelegs or deliver a startling but harmless nip.

About

A large, elegant Southeast Asian mantis named for the vivid peacock-eye pattern on its hindwings, flashed in a startle display. Keep at 72-82°F day with a cooler night drop and moderate ~60% humidity (tolerates 50-80%) from daily misting, in a tall enclosure at least 3x its body length for safe molting. Feeds on flies, crickets, and locusts. House individually; harmless to humans.

Taxonomy

FamilyEmpusidae

GenusPseudempusa

Native regionSoutheast Asia (Myanmar, Thailand)

TypeArboreal

Temperamentcalm; flashes bright hindwing eyespots when threatened

Size & growth

Adult sizefemale ~4 in, male ~3.3 in

Length85.00–100.00 mm

Growth ratemedium

Climate

Temperature68–86 °F

Humidity50–70%

Enclosure

Adult size≥3x body length tall, 2x wide; well-ventilated

Substratecoco fiber or paper towel; light misting for humidity/drinking

Substrate depth1-2 inches

Water dishOptional

Feeding

Feeding modePredator (live prey)

Prey sizeflies, crickets, roaches

Adult cadenceevery 2-3 days

Times kept: 0