Deroplatys desiccata (Westwood) –
Giant Dead Leaf Mantises

Introduction

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It is difficult to rival the camouflage strategies of Deroplatys. Their incredible dead leaf masquerade allows them to be nearly invisible among dried leaves. Further, they are known to alter their color slightly to match the shade of leaves they are sitting nearby, over a molt, making them nearly undetectable in the wild. They use their camouflage to great affect to ambush crawling prey, as they insect never even notices them until it is too late. Adults have brilliant patterns on their hindwings, resembling eyespots, and use them to startle predators and defend their eggs.

 

This genus has some of the best parental care in the mantis world. Females in all species besides D. dessicata are known to guard their eggs by covering them with their bodies until they hatch. This prevents predators, parasites, and water from damaging the offspring. Once the nymphs hatch, the mother watches her offspring leave, before finding a new place to lay more eggs. They will not cannibalize their offspring!

 

Deroplatys is a common genus in the hobby, with 4 species currently being found. They are the representative genus of the family Deroplatyidae and are related to Euchomenalla (the giraffe mantis), and Tagalomantis. The most common are Deroplatys lobata and Deroplatys dessicata. Deroplatys truncata and Deroplatys trigonodera are more rare, however, all have similar care requirements and several overlap in native habitat. Their large size as hatchlings, combined with their strong feeding response and cryptic coloration and patterns make them an attractive choice for a medium difficulty
mantis.

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Sexing

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As with all mantises, males have 8 external sternites, and females have 6. In all species, males and females have different, species specific pronotums, so they can be sexed as early instar 4 by the shield.

 

Keeping

 

Deroplatys can be kept communally until i3 provided enough space and feeders. After this molt males and females will diverge in size, and separating is recommended. Males have 7 molts, females have 9. Time accordingly for mating!

 

Recommended space is as follows:

 

Instar 1 – 2: 8 oz Deli Cup

Instar 3 - 6: 32 oz Deli Cup

Instar 6 – Adult: 80oz Cup or Bigger

 

Using the metric above, an appropriate amount of space should be provided for communal setups to minimalize cannibalism

 

Feeding

 

Instar 1 - 3  – Drosophila species

Instar 3 – 6 – Houseflies, Small Crickets, Roaches

Instar 6 – Adult – Blue bottle Flies, Crickets, Roaches

 

Breeding

 

Deroplatys are a medium difficulty species primarily because of their breeding. Females are long lived, and take 6 weeks to mature, after which they will begin to release pheromones and are ready to mate. Males however, only live 6 – 8 weeks after adult and are ready to mate in two. This combined with the fact that males have two less molts means that timing can be difficult.

 

When mating place the male in an enclosure a day prior to introducing the females. This will give the male time to settle down. Make sure both male and female are well fed and hydrated. Introduce the female to the male and feed her. Its recommended to leave food in the enclosure as well (blue bottle flies are ideal). The male will move on his own time, just monitor them to make sure the female isn’t being aggressive towards him.

 

After mating, females will lay 4 – 6 oothecae. D. dessicata may lay more. Deroplatys is one of the few genera that will guard their eggs after laying them. Females will often sit on their eggs till hatching, after which the females will leave on their own accord. They will not bother the nymphs. Removing the oothecae is not detrimental and will prompt the female to lay faster. Females prefer to lay on branches or underneath wide leaves. After 6 – 8 weeks at similar conditions to the adults, each oothecae will hatch over the course of 1 - 3 days, producing 30 – 100 nymphs that are around ½ an inch long. The nymphs of Deroplatys are incredibly hardy and large, and are readily able to take D. hydei.