Spiny Flower Mantis
vs Double Shield Mantis
Both species are rated beginner-level. Your choice comes down to what you want from the animal — appearance, size, lifespan, and personality differ significantly.
| Spiny Flower Mantis | Double Shield Mantis | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Pseudocreobotra wahlbergii | Pnigomantis medioconstricta |
| Care level | Beginner | Beginner |
| Adult size (female) | 5 cm | 9 cm |
| Adult size (male) | 4 cm | 8 cm |
| Lifespan | 8–11 months | 12–18 months |
| Temperature | 70–85°F | 68–86°F |
| Humidity | 40–60% | 50–60% |
| Instars (female) | 8 | 9 |
| Instars (male) | 7 | 8 |
| Diet | Flying insects — fruit flies → bottle flies | Aggressive eaters — anything from fruit flies (L1) to roaches, dubia, and small mice as adults |
| Communal? | No | No |
| Origin | Sub-Saharan Africa | Flores Island, Indonesia |
Care Difficulty
Both species are rated Beginner. Spiny Flower Mantis needs 40–60% humidity while Double Shield Mantis needs 50–60%. Temperature ranges overlap but check each species' care guide for specifics.
Size & Lifespan
Double Shield Mantis is the larger species. Double Shield Mantis lives longer on average. Females of both species live longer than males — this is universal across mantis species.
Appearance
Spiny Flower Mantis: Walking artwork. Two yellow-and-black eyespots on the wings flash open in a deimatic display that startles predators. Beginner-friendly with a showstopping threat pose. Double Shield Mantis: The aggressive eater. Stocky, mottled, with a uniquely constricted "double shield" pronotum and bright blue inner-arm markings. For keepers who want a mantis with attitude. Both are visually striking in completely different ways — check the photos above and the product pages for gallery images.
Best For
Both species are rated beginner-level. Your choice comes down to what you want from the animal — appearance, size, lifespan, and personality differ significantly. Both species are captive-bred at our facility in Las Vegas and ship with a live arrival guarantee.
Spiny Flower Mantis
Walking artwork. Two yellow-and-black eyespots on the wings flash open in a deimatic display that startles predators. Beginner-friendly with a showstopping threat pose.
Double Shield Mantis
The aggressive eater. Stocky, mottled, with a uniquely constricted "double shield" pronotum and bright blue inner-arm markings. For keepers who want a mantis with attitude.