A pet praying mantis typically costs $30 to $80 for a captive-bred exotic species, or as little as $5–15 for a common native species like a Chinese mantis. Most popular pet species — Ghost, Spiny Flower, and Orchid mantises — land in the $30–$80 range, with the exact price driven by species rarity, life stage, and whether the animal is captive-bred or wild-caught.
I’m a US breeder, so the prices below are real 2026 numbers — what these animals actually sell for, not a guess. Here’s the full breakdown.
Praying mantis price by species
These are current captive-bred nymph prices at Lobo Mantis (Las Vegas, NV). Live prices and stock are always on the shop page.
| Species | Care level | Price (captive-bred) |
|---|---|---|
| Ghost Mantis | Beginner | $30 |
| Double Shield Mantis | Beginner | $40 |
| African Twig Mantis | Beginner | $45 |
| Spiny Flower Mantis | Beginner | $40 |
| Dead Leaf Mantis | Intermediate | $35 |
| Orchid Mantis | Expert | $80 |
Common native species — the Chinese mantis (Tenodera sinensis) or Carolina mantis — sell for as little as $5–15 from garden-supply sellers, often as egg cases rather than live nymphs. We focus on captive-bred exotic species, which cost more but arrive healthy, parasite-free, and feeding.
What affects praying mantis pricing?
Species rarity
Species is the biggest price factor. Ghost and African Twig mantises are prolific breeders — large egg cases, many nymphs, steady supply — which keeps them affordable. Orchid mantises produce fewer offspring per clutch, grow slowly, and have higher nymph mortality, so they sit at the top of the price range.
Life stage (instar)
Younger nymphs (L2–L3) are cheaper than older juveniles or adults, for two reasons:
- Mortality risk — a real percentage of nymphs don’t survive to adulthood even in ideal conditions. Buying an older animal means paying for the breeder’s losses along the way.
- Time invested — an adult Orchid female represents 5–7 months of daily feeding, misting, and maintenance. That labor has value.
Buying younger saves money but means you raise the animal through its most vulnerable stages yourself.
Sex
Once a mantis is old enough to sex (usually L4–L5), confirmed females cost more than males — typically $5–15 more. Females live longer, grow larger, and display better; males are smaller, shorter-lived, and mostly wanted for breeding.
Captive-bred vs. wild-caught
This matters more than the sticker price. Captive-bred mantises from a US breeder are acclimated from hatch, parasite-free, shipped under the breeder’s USDA APHIS permit, and come with a known age and lineage. Imported or wild-caught animals look cheaper but carry quarantine stress, unknown age, parasites, and sometimes legal gray areas. I only sell captive-bred — the health difference is night and day.
Seasonal availability
Breeding is cyclical. When an egg case hatches, nymphs are plentiful and prices ease; between hatches, supply tightens. If a species shows sold out in the shop, I’m simply between breeding cycles — you can join the waitlist to get first notice on the next batch.
Total cost of ownership
The mantis itself is usually the smallest expense. A realistic first-year budget:
One-time setup:
- Ventilated enclosure: $15–40 — see our terrarium setup guide and getting-started care sheet for what a mantis actually needs
- Misting bottle: ~$10
- Sticks / fake foliage for perching: $10–20
Ongoing:
- Feeder insects (fruit fly cultures, bottle-fly spikes): $5–15/month for one mantis — an early-instar nymph on a single fruit fly culture often costs only a few dollars a month — scaling up as it grows
Realistic first-year total: $180–350, mantis included, depending on species and enclosure choice. Compared to other exotic pets, a mantis is remarkably cheap to keep — no special lighting, no large terrarium, no vet bills.
Best value for a first mantis
If you want the most experience for the least money:
- Ghost Mantis — $30. Hardy, forgiving, low-cannibalism, and you get the full journey of raising a mantis from nymph to adult. The best beginner pick.
- Spiny Flower Mantis — $40. A big jump in visual drama (those eyespot displays) for only $10 more, still beginner-friendly.
If budget isn’t the constraint and you want a showpiece, the Orchid Mantis at $80 is worth the premium — it’s the most photographed mantis in the hobby for a reason.
New to mantises entirely? Our best beginner mantis guide walks through which species to start with.
Where to buy a praying mantis
- Specialty breeders (recommended). Captive-bred animals from someone who knows the species. Every Lobo Mantis order ships from Las Vegas with a live arrival guarantee, and I answer care questions after the sale. New to this? Our praying mantis buying guide walks through what to look for.
- Pet stores. Few carry mantises; those that do usually stock only Chinese mantises, with limited selection and little species-specific knowledge.
- Online marketplaces. Buyer beware — some sellers are real breeders, others flip imported or wild-caught animals with no guarantee if it arrives dead.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a praying mantis cost?
A pet praying mantis costs about $5–15 for a common native species (like a Chinese mantis) and $30–$80 for a captive-bred exotic species. Popular pet species such as Ghost ($30), Spiny Flower ($40), and Orchid ($80) sit in the $30–$80 range, depending on the breeder, life stage, and sex.
What is the cheapest praying mantis?
The cheapest are native species like the Chinese or Carolina mantis, often sold as egg cases for $5–15. Among captive-bred exotic pet species, the Ghost Mantis is the most affordable at $30, followed by the Dead Leaf Mantis at $35, then Double Shield and Spiny Flower at $40.
How much does it cost to keep a praying mantis per month?
Ongoing costs are low — about $10–15 per month for feeder insects (fruit fly cultures or bottle-fly spikes) for a single mantis, scaling up slightly as it grows. There’s no lighting, heating, or vet cost for most setups. Including the mantis and a one-time enclosure, a realistic first-year total is $180–350.
Are praying mantises legal to own as pets?
Keeping a captive-bred mantis as a private hobbyist generally needs no permit. However, shipping non-native (exotic) species across state lines requires the seller to hold a USDA APHIS PPQ 526 permit — which is exactly why you should buy from an established US breeder who ships compliantly rather than importing or buying from an unpermitted flipper. A few states add their own rules. See our praying mantis legality guide for the full breakdown.
How long does a pet praying mantis live?
Most pet mantises live 6–12 months total, from hatch to death, with adults typically living 2–6 months after their final molt (females longer than males). See our lifespan guide by species for specifics.
Is a praying mantis a good first exotic pet?
Yes — mantises are among the most affordable, low-maintenance exotic pets. A beginner-friendly species like a Ghost Mantis costs about $30, needs a small enclosure, and eats inexpensive feeder insects.
The bottom line
A captive-bred pet praying mantis costs $30 to $80 at Lobo Mantis, with beginner species starting at $30. Add a modest enclosure and cheap feeder insects, and it’s one of the most affordable exotic pets you can keep — with one of the most rewarding payoffs.
Browse current prices, stock, and live arrival details in the Lobo Mantis shop.