Harabiro Mantis

Hierodula patellifera

MantisbeginnerHarmless

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 robust, broad-bodied green Asian mantis (the 'harabiro') — hardy, voracious, and easygoing, making it a great larger-mantis beginner. Thrives at room warmth with 60-70% humidity from a daily light mist, in a tall enclosure with perches and a molting space at the top. Takes large flying and crawling prey including roaches. House individually; harmless to humans.

Taxonomy

FamilyMantidae

GenusHierodula

Native regionCentral and East Asia

TypeArboreal

Temperamentbold, voracious; docile toward humans

Size & growth

Adult sizeup to ~3 inches

Length55.00–75.00 mm

Growth ratefast

Climate

Temperature70–86 °F

Humidity60–70%

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