Hierodula Majuscula (Burmeister) –
Giant Rainforest Mantis

Introduction

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Hierodula  is a very common genus in the hobby, with many often available. They are in the family Mantidae, and are generally typically shaped mantises. Several popular species include Hierodula majuscula Tindale, Hierodula membranacea Burmeister, and Hierodula venosa Olivier. Due to their shared habitat types, region and hardiness, care is similar among species. They can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, humidity, and prey types. They start off fairly small as hatchlings, but grow quickly. This, combined with their strong feeding response and often bright coloration in some species make them an attractive choice for an easy mantis species.

 

Hierodula are apex invertebrate predators of their regions. Powerful, aggressive, and quick moving, these giant mantises are able to tackle a wide variety of prey. Females are known to prey upon snakes, lizards, small birds, rodents, amphibians, and fish in the wild. Once grabbed by a Hierodula, most animals are quickly subdued, as the powerful forelimbs crush the prey item, and the powerful yet precise jaws quickly make short work of the prey.

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Sexing

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As with all mantises, males have 8 external sternites, and females have 6.

 

Keeping

 

Hierodula can be kept communally until i3 provided enough space and feeders. After this molt they will become much more aggressive to siblings, and separating is recommended. Males and females have 9 molts, though in some species males have 8.  They prefer to have ample space and need solid grip in order to molt as they age, as they become incredibly heavy and susceptible to falling mid molt. Shelf liner, mesh, or cork bark is recommended to prevent such mismolts.

 

 

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.

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Feeding

 

Instar 1 - 3  – Drosophila species

Instar 3 – 6 – Houseflies, Small Crickets, Roaches

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

 

Breeding

 

Hierodula are an easy species to breed. Males will mate as soon as 2 weeks after adulthood, and females in 4. Males are very readily stimulated by calling females and by visual cues. Due to the female’s high aggressiveness, it is important to keep feeding items on hand and tools to prevent the male from being consumed before mating. Place the male on a surface and allow him to relax. Afterwards, place the female nearby and prompt her to move. After the  male notices her, offer prey items until the male mounts. This may take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours.

 

Once mated, females will lay anywhere from 4 – 7 oothecae, each containing 100 – 200 nymphs. After a period of 4 – 6 weeks, the oothecae will hatch. In most species they hatch at once, but in Hierodula majuscuala  they will hatch over several days. It is important to keep the oothecae incubating for several days in order to make sure all nymphs have emerged.