Giant Asian Mantis (Hierodula patellifera)

What Are Giant Asian Mantis?

Hierodula patellifera is a species of praying mantes from the family Mantidae.

Their common name Giant Asian Mantis comes from their large size compared to other praying mantes, as well as their native habitat in Central and East Asia.

This species of mantis typically has long, slender legs, an ovoid abdomen, and a head with 2 long antennae and large, compound eyes.

Giant Asian Mantes may vary in color from shades of green to brown and can reach up to 11 cm in size.

What Does a Giant Asian Mantis Look Like?

Giant Asian Mantis grow to an average length of three to six inches, with the females typically larger and heavier than males.

These mantids have a light green, almost yellow coloring, that helps them stay camouflaged among the foliage where they typically live.

The anatomy of the Giant Asian Mantis is fairly typical for a mantis species.

They have two segmented bodies, a triangular head, and four jointed legs.

On their head, they have two large eyes and two smaller eyes–called the ocelli—for detecting light changes in their environment.

On their back are four wings, which they use to fly short distances and navigate the terrain.

On their abdomen is where their highly efficient and deadly raptorial forelegs can be found.

Benefits Of Using Giant Asian Mantis

Giant Asian Mantises are an excellent choice as an animal for use in vivariums.

One of the most appealing benefits is that they are simple to care for while also being quite interesting to observe as they explore their environment.

Additionally, their bold coloration can make for an attractive display in many different types of terrariums.

These fascinating creatures eat many other insects, making them a suitable option for maintaining a balanced ecosystem in the enclosure.

Giant Asian Mantises are also an intriguing species because of their ability to camouflage themselves so well, making them an educational case study for vivarium hobbyists.

Giant Asian Mantis Facts

Hierodula patellifera is a species of mantis native to Southeast Asia and is known for its large size and fascinating bright green color.

They have a relatively long lifespan of up to a year and feed predominantly on other insects, such as moths, flies, and beetles.

They are generally shy creatures with gentle temperaments but can become aggressive towards other mantids of the same species when breeding.

If you are looking to own a Giant Asian Mantis, it is important to understand proper care techniques to ensure your mantis is kept safe, healthy, and thriving.

Habitat

Hierodula patellifera are large-bodied tropical insects native to Southeast Asia.

In the wild, they can be found in various habitats such as riverbanks, plantations, and gardens throughout India, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, and other parts of Southeast Asia.

Characterized by their large, triangular heads, sturdy bodies, and specialized front legs equipped with raptorial claws, they are also known for their impressive camouflage abilities.

Due to their excellent ability to blend into their habitat, some varieties of the Giant Asian Mantis have evolved with special patterns that allow them to better hide from potential predators.

In the wild, H. patellifera inhabit a wide variety of habitats.

They tend to prefer humid, cooler areas, such as shaded forests and tall grasses, where they’re able to best hunt for their prey.

However, they’re also known to inhabit more open and drier environments, such as once-existing buildings and tree trunks.

Overall, they require adequate access to plant material and water to thrive.

Create the perfect home for your mantis with our Customizable Mantis Enclosure Kits, designed to meet all their habitat needs.

Diet

In their natural habitat, Giant Asian Mantes are opportunistic feeders that enjoy a variety of both plant and animal prey.

They have an affinity for flying insects like crickets, grasshoppers, flies, and beetles.

However, they will also gladly consume ants, spiders, small lizards, and even other mantis species.

In some areas, Hierodula patellifera may also scavenge for fruit and nectar or sip dew from plants.

They are not picky eaters and will do whatever it takes to survive in the wild. 

Temperament

Hierodula patellifera is considered a relatively docile species of mantis, but in general, all mantids have different temperaments.

This particular species is not inclined to bite or act aggressively in the presence of humans or other animals.

They will, however, try to move away from people and other animals to protect themselves because they are naturally timid.

When kept in captivity, Giant Asian Mantis typically shy away from any kind of movement or activity in their vicinity.

They are solitary creatures and do not interact well with other animals, so they should not be housed with any other species of mantids.

Because of their typically calm and timid nature, they make a great pet for those who want to observe an insect without any aggressive behavior.

Lifespan

The lifespan of Hierodula patellifera is approximately six to 12 months long.

During their short life, the Giant Asian Mantis will go through several phases of development, including the egg, nymph, and adult stages.

Once the mantis has reached adulthood, it can begin to reproduce. The female will lay up to 200 eggs at one time in a tightly closed sac.

In the egg stage, the Giant Mantis will hatch in a few weeks, provided the environment is warm and moist.

In the nymph stage, the mantis nymphs must molt eight times before they reach adulthood.

When they molt, they can increase in size up to five times.

During the adult stage, Hierodula patellifera will mate and lay eggs. 

The Giant Asian Mantis is an impressive species due to its short but fascinating life cycle.

Properly caring for a Giant Asian Mantis and providing it with the right environment and diet can help prolong its lifespan.

Breeding

The mating ritual of the Giant Asian Mantis begins with courtship dancing between two individuals.

During the dance, the female will turn her head towards the male and make a series of rocking movements, while the male will raise his arms as high above his head as he can while extending his swollen abdomen.

If the female accepts the male, mating will then take place.

Once mating has been completed, the female will lay her eggs in a folded leaf or stem of a plant.

The eggs will be contained in an egg sack and can hold hundreds of eggs at a time. Once the eggs hatch, the young that emerge will be tiny copies of their parents.

Giant Asian Mantis typically reproduce once in their lifespan, usually from May to late October.

Some female may lay their eggs multiple times if they are healthy and well-fed. They will most likely die in late autumn after they reproduce.

To ensure the health of a new generation of Giant Asian Mantises, be sure to provide them with plenty of food and safe living conditions.

Where To Find Giant Asian Mantis

Finding a Giant Asian Mantis to purchase or catch in the wild can be a bit easier than most mantis we’ve covered.

If you are hoping to purchase one, you may be able to find one online or at pet stores.

When looking for a pet mantis, make sure to find a reputable seller and inspect the condition of the mantis before making a purchase. 

If you want to find a Wild Hierodula patellifera, you will need to do some research to find out where they are likely to be found.

In general, they can be found in warm, tropical climates.

They are usually found in tropical and Asian climates such as in parts of India, China, and Southeast Asia.

If you are successful in finding one, remember to return it to its habitat as soon as possible to make sure it lives in its natural environment.