Which Mantis First?
The six species we breed, side by side, in the order our beginners post ranks them
| # | Species | Care level | Adult ♀ / ♂ | Temp | Humidity | Communal | Lifespan | Diet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ghost Mantis Phyllocrania paradoxa Difficulty 2/10 | Beginner | 5 / 4.5 cm | 68–80°F
day 70–80°F | 60–70% | Nymphs only, with constant food; adults alone | 8–18 mo | Fruit flies, then bottle flies |
| 2 | African Twig Mantis Popa spurca Difficulty 2.5/10 | Beginner | 8 / 7 cm | 68–86°F
day 72–86°F | 40–60% | No, one per enclosure | 6–12 mo | Chases flies and small roaches |
| 3 | Spiny Flower Mantis Pseudocreobotra wahlbergii Difficulty 4/10 | Beginner | 5 / 4 cm | 70–80°F
day 75–80°F | 40–60% | No, one per enclosure | 6–12 mo | Flies every stage, plus moths |
| 4 | Dead Leaf Mantis Deroplatys gorochovi Difficulty 5/10 | Intermediate | 8 / 6 cm | 72–85°F
day 77–85°F | 60–80% | No, one per enclosure | 8–13 mo | Fruit flies, bottle flies, moths |
| 5 | Double Shield Mantis Pnigomantis medioconstricta Difficulty 6/10 | Beginner-Intermediate | 9 / 8 cm | 68–86°F
day 72–86°F | 50–60% | No, one per enclosure | 12–18 mo | Chases flies; dubia as adults |
| 6 | Orchid Mantis Hymenopus coronatus Difficulty 7/10 | Intermediate | 6.5 / 2.5 cm | 72–85°F
day 78–82°F | 60–80% | No, one per enclosure | 5–10 mo | Flying prey: flies and moths |
Lifespans are total, from hatch; females outlive males in every species. Temperature is the full tolerated range, with the daytime target beneath it. We do not feed crickets. Current price and stock are on each listing at lobomantis.com/shop.
Our pick
The Ghost Mantis is the best first mantis: it tolerates a wide range of humidity and temperature, rarely refuses food, and forgives the mistakes new keepers make. The African Twig Mantis is a close second, and the pick for a dry home or if you worry about feeding. Start with one animal either way; a communal Ghost group is an experienced-keeper setup.
The Orchid is the species everyone wants first. Make it your second: one humidity dip mid-molt can cost you the animal. Raise a Ghost or Twig to adulthood, then come back for an Orchid or a Dead Leaf.
If you want…
…the easiest start: Ghost Mantis
…a mantis for a dry home, or you worry about feeding: African Twig Mantis
…a show on a beginner routine: Spiny Flower Mantis
…a walking leaf, and can hold 60–80% humidity: Dead Leaf Mantis
…the longest-lived mantis, and can keep a steady routine: Double Shield Mantis
…the showpiece, as your second species: Orchid Mantis