Indian Flower Mantis

Creobroter pictipennis

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 small, beautifully patterned Asian flower mantis. Wants warm (75-85°F), humid (60-80%) conditions with strong ventilation and a daily light mist; a planted bioactive enclosure with springtails/isopods helps control mold. Feeds well on fruit flies and small flies. Like all mantises it's cannibalistic — house individually. Harmless to humans.

Taxonomy

FamilyHymenopodidae

GenusCreobroter

Native regionSouth and Southeast Asia

TypeArboreal

Temperamentstill ambush flower mimic; small

Size & growth

Adult size1-1.5 inches

Length30.00–40.00 mm

Growth ratemedium

Climate

Temperature75–85 °F

Humidity60–80%

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