Timor shield mantis
Rhombodera kirbyi
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
Rhombodera kirbyi is a large shield mantis, with females reaching about 10 cm. The published locality is Timor, though it is sold in the hobby as the PNG shield mantis, so treat its origin as uncertain. Care information for this exact species is mostly from vendors and from keepers of related Rhombodera, so use it as a starting point. One seller recommends 75 to 85 F, 60 to 80 percent humidity, misting three to four times a week, and a large ventilated enclosure with plenty of vertical room to hang for molts. Forum keepers of the genus say a terrarium suits them better than mesh because they want extra humidity, and that a small heat lamp helps in a cool house. Offer flying insects such as house flies, bluebottles and moths sized to the mantis. The seller rates it intermediate, while Wikipedia says low requirements, so that rating is contested.
Taxonomy
Size & growth
Climate
Enclosure
Feeding
Times kept: 0