Hymenopus coronatus (Olivier) – Orchid Mantis

Introduction

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Hymenopus coronatus is the infamous orchid mantis. Well known for its amazing mimicry, this mantis is a nectar feeding insect specialist. This species is also well known for its incredible sexual dimorphism. Its normal for males to be 1/3 – 1/2 the size of adult females. This sexual dimorphism is in order to avoid competition for nectar feeding insects between males and females. Females, needing more food in order to lay more eggs, are much larger than the tiny males. In captivity they can be sensitive when young, but become surprisingly hardy as they age, and females are very long lived.

 

This pollinator specialist employs two very effective techniques which add to its mimicry. The first is its distinctive lobes and body proportions, which mimic the petals and shape of the orchid flowers. The second, which is unknown to us, is its ability to reflect UV light. This makes it an attractive looking feeding spot to nectar feeders, but unfortunately for the prey, they don’t realize that the mantis isn’t a flower until to late. These two tools are used in deadly combination to get the prey of Hymenopus to fly into them to die.

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Sexing

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As with all mantises, males have 8 external sternites, and females have 6. In this species however, females have several characteristics at a young age that distinguish them. Hind leg lobes are much larger, a crest that arises between their eyes (this appears around instar 4/5 and increases in size with every molt), and the bottom margin of the pronotum is typically colored green; though sometimes it may be brown as it is in males. In males this “necklace” is never green.

 

Keeping

 

Hymenopus can be kept communally among same sex individuals for most of their lives, however it is important to note females are very territorial and require a sizable amount of space to feel comfortable. Smaller sized individuals will readily be eaten if they aren’t provided ample food. Orchid mantises need regular water to prevent mismolts, so daily misting is suggested.

 

Recommended space is as follows:

 

Females

Instar 1 – 4: 8 oz Deli Cup

Instar 4 - 7: 32 oz Deli Cup

Instar 8 – Adult: 80oz Cup or Bigger

Males

Instar 1 – 5: 8 oz Deli Cup

Instar 6 - Adult: 32 oz Deli Cup

 

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

 

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

 

Feeding

 

Males

Instar 1 - 3  – Drosophila species

Instar 3 – 6 – Houseflies, Small Crickets, Roaches

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

 

Females

Instar 1 - 3  – Drosophila species

Instar 3 – 6 – Houseflies, Small Crickets, Roaches

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

 

Breeding

 

Getting Hymenopus to pair is a simple task, however timing the two sexes is somewhat difficult. Given the much smaller size of the males and the fact that they have two fewer molts, they will become adults in under 3 months if food is ample. Females on the other hand take a bit over 4 months and an additional 4 – 6 weeks in order to become sexually mature. Males only live 3 – 4 months at most and as a result its imperative to get individuals from different broods or treat them differently early by feeding males less and keeping them cool.

 

For pairing Hymenopus simply place the male on the females back slowly. If she is receptive and has been releasing pheromones the male will detect this and climb on and be interested in mating. At this point, the male will begin to drum on the females wings with his forelimbs, rapidly smacking the wings to court her. He will do this throughout the mating process. It is not uncommon for the male to remain on the female after mating; he will guard the female and may mate with her again several times for up to two weeks. Provide food for both of them, he will catch food out of the air to feed himself when hungry.

 

Once mated females will lay 6 – 12 oothecae every 3 weeks. After 4 – 6 weeks of incubation at 80 – 90% humidity, 40 – 80 nymphs will hatch at once. Begin feeding after 36 hours. Nymphs at instar 1 mimic assassin bug, to avoid predation, and are colored bright red and black.