Do you want to bring Creobroter gemmatus into your home?
This stunning little creature is a mesmerizingly beautiful part of the flower mantis family, and adding one to your living space is a great decision.
With the right care, your jeweled flower mantis can be the light of your home.
In this guide, you’ll learn more about this species, how to set up the right environment for it, and much more.
Ready to learn more? Let’s dive in!
| Characteristics: | |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Jeweled Flower Mantis |
| Family Name | Hymenopodidae |
| Scientific Name | Creobroter gemmatus |
| Use | Pets |
| Temperament | Non-aggressive |
| Lifespan | Up to 9 Months |
| Diet | Insectivore |
| Adult Size | 1.5 in (3.8 cm) |
| Breeding Type | Egg Layer |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Minimum Tank Size | 5 Gallon |
| pH | 6.2-7.0 |
| Hardness | Moderate |
| Temperature | 66-80°F |
What Are Jeweled Flower Mantis?
Jeweled Flower Mantis, scientifically known as Creobroter gemmatus, are small, brightly colored insects native to Asia.
This species gets its common name from its gem-like eyes and wings, which shimmer with an iridescent opal hue.
This species belongs to the family of Hymenopodidae and is known for having one of the most vibrantly colored bodies of all praying mantes.
Jewel mantis grow to a size of up to a few centimeters in length and love to live in warm, humid environments such as tropical forests.
What Does Jeweled Flower Mantis Look Like?
Creobroter gemmatus may be small, but they can be quite eye-catching.
Their color is a bright and exuberant red-orange, and they have delicate white patterns running across their wings.
An adult is about the size of an adult’s thumb, with a wingspan of 2 to 3 inches. They have three segmented legs and two large antennae.
Their eyes are large and compound, helping them to see objects from a far distance.
Depending on gender, some may have larger abdomens than others.
They have long legs, providing an impressive jumping ability that helps with their hunting. Overall, their appearance is nothing short of stunning.
Benefits Of Using Jeweled Flower Mantis
Jeweled Flower Mantis is the perfect choice for beginners who are looking to add a unique and interesting element to their vivarium.
They are relatively low maintenance and don’t require a ton of space or specialized habitat to thrive.
Plus, they are absolutely beautiful, with their vibrant jewel tones and unique patterned wings.
They make a great addition to a naturalistic terrarium and will help bring the beauty of nature into your home.
With proper care and attention, they can live a long and healthy life, adding beauty and intrigue to their living space.
Jeweled Flower Mantis Facts
Creobroter gemmatus is a beautiful, small-sized tropical mantis, native to Southeast Asia.
These voracious little insect eaters feed primarily on live insects, but sometimes other small animals, and live for almost a year on average.
They can breed easily in captivity, and they make great pets due to their lively and colorful personalities.
Habitat
The Jeweled Flower Mantis is found in Southeast Asia, specifically in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.
The natural habitat of Creobroter gemmatus is usually a combination of shady trees, low-lying shrubbery, and damp tall grass on the forest floor.
They are usually found in tropical climates as they need places to hide among the flora and await potential prey.
The Jeweler Flower Mantis often takes on the shape, color, and texture of the plants it rests upon, serving as camouflage and defense for the mantis.
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, Jeweled Flower Mantis have a varied diet, as they are opportunistic predators.
They primarily feed on small insects such as ants, flies, and beetles.
They will also eat aphids, mites, caterpillars, grasshoppers, and even other types of mantid species.
It is good to note that the adult mantis will eat almost any insect it can capture, while nymphs usually feed on small soft-bodied insects, such as aphids.
In the wild, they will also eat fruit and sap to replenish certain liquid and mineral needs.
Temperament
Creobroter gemmatus, due to their small size and gentle nature, are very harmless around humans.
They are attracted to bright colors, so when a human comes close to them, they may move toward them as opposed to away.
They are also quite curious and may try to climb onto their caregiver’s arm or shoulder.
That said, it’s important to never startle or surprise a jeweled flower mantis, as they can be delicate and easily stressed.
Since they are so small and fragile, it’s also good practice to remember that these mantes should never be kept with any larger, more predatory animals.
The presence of larger animals, such as cats or dogs, can also be too overwhelming and stressful for a jeweled flower mantis, so it’s best to keep them in their own enclosed space.
This allows them to explore their environment without feeling threatened or intimidated.
Lifespan
The jeweled flower mantis is a short-lived species with an average lifespan of 6 to 9 months in captivity.
In the wild, they may live a bit longer depending on the availability of food and other environmental conditions.
The life cycle of the jeweled flower mantis starts from the egg stage, progressing to the nymph stage, and then to the adult mantis stage.
After emerging from the egg, they go through several instars, or molting stages, before becoming adults.
During the first instars, the mantis may only be a fraction of an inch in size but can grow up to 1.5 inches in adulthood.
Taking good care of your jeweled flower mantis will aid in its well-being and could potentially add more months to its life span.
Breeding
The mating and reproducing process of the Jewel flower mantis can vary based on sex and species.
Females of the species only mate once in their lifetimes, while males can mate multiple times.
Once a couple of Creobroter gemmatus find a partner, they will perform a courtship dance.
During the dance, the male will approach the female and attempt to touch her antennae and wings.
If the female is interested, she will accept the touches and the pair will move on to the mating process.
The mating process for the Jewel flower mantis is quite long, lasting up to an hour.
During the process, the male will use his claspers to hold onto the female, while depositing sperm on the female’s external reproductive organs.
After mating, the female goes on to lay hundreds of eggs in batches, wherever she feels secure and undisturbed, including the underside of leaves.
The eggs will remain dormant in this state until they are due to hatch, a process that can take several months.
Where To Find Jeweled Flower Mantis
Creobroter gemmatus are most commonly found in tropical forests of the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and parts of East Asia.
They live in warm and humid environments at high elevations, particularly near woody plants and trees.
If you’re interested in sourcing your jeweled flower mantis, the best way to do so is by searching for one in the wild.
While this is seldom done, some experienced collectors have had luck finding them in their natural habitat.
You can also buy them from mantis and insect enthusiasts, as well as some pet stores.
Jeweled Flower Mantises are considered an exotic species, so you won’t find them at every pet shop.
It’s also essential to ensure that the vendor is reputable and the mantis is only sourced from its natural habitat.
While this might come at a slightly higher cost, it’s worth it to ensure you receive a healthy specimen.
Plus, it helps sustain the wild population of Jewel Flower Mantises.
Jeweled Flower Mantis Care
To care for Creobroter gemmatus, you need to provide a cage with the appropriate humidity and temperature requirements.
You should also feed them their preferred insects in the right amounts, watch for common diseases and health concerns, and provide entertainment.
Breeding and reproduction can also be possible with the right tips and guidance.
Tank Requirements
For optimal care, your jeweled flower mantis should be kept in a well-ventilated, secure, and spacious tank.
A planted tank is ideal, with an open mesh lid and a secure inner covering to help the humidity build-up.
A terrarium substrate of peat moss or coconut fiber should be used, with the ideal temperature ranging from 66-80°F (18-27°C).
You’ll also need to maintain a proper pH of 6 to 8 and a hardness of 4-8 dKH.
Terrarium lighting with 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness is recommended, and some hiding spots in the vivarium will help your pet feel safe and secure.
What Does Jeweled Flower Mantis Eat?
Feeding Creobroter gemmatus is essential to giving it the best care.
You want to make sure you supply them with food that they can easily digest and use so they can remain happy and healthy.
These little critters’ preferred food is mainly other insects such as flies, crickets, waxworms, moths, and fruit flies.
If you want to keep your jewel flower mantis well-fed, you should offer a mix of these insects to provide them with a good amount of nourishment.
You can also provide them with plant and fruit-based treats, such as apple slices, carrots, squash, or beans.
It’s crucial to know that your mantis shouldn’t be fed the same insect every day, as this can cause nutritional deficits.
Instead, provide a variety of insect prey. Additionally, make sure to feed your mantis only those insects that are proper for their size.
Bigger prey can harm your mantis, so only feed them what is appropriate for their size.
Finally, your Jeweled Flower Mantis should receive food every other day, as this can prevent them from over-eating.
This should be enough quantity for their needs.
If you’re looking for a more detailed approach to feeding these critters, be sure to check out my ultimate DIY Praying Mantis food guide. I give a more in-depth explanation of the best foods and my favorite recipe.
Best Tankmates For Jeweled Flower Mantis
While they are solitary in the wild, Creobroter gemmatus can be kept with other tankmates when kept in captivity.
The best tankmates for a jeweled flower mantis include other invertebrates, such as large beetles, stick insects, spiders, and katydids.
These animals have different eating habits and will not compete with the mantis for food.
Additionally, they are all beneficial to the enclosure, as they will help to keep pests and other animals out.
Conclusion
Overall, if you provide the right environment and care for your praying mantis pet, it is sure to bring a lot of joy and life into your home.
They are unique, engaging, and mesmerizingly beautiful creatures that will bring a sense of magic into your abode.
With this guide, you now have the necessary tools to become a proper Creobroter gemmatus caretaker.
Create the ideal habitat for your praying mantis with our species-specific soil mixes and Insect Enclosure Kits. These products provide everything you need for a thriving Mantid habitat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Feed the mantis small, live insects every day, provide a humid environment, clean the enclosure regularly, and keep the temperatures in the proper range.
Jeweled flower mantis can grow up to 1.8 inches in length.
The jeweled flower mantis is a species of praying mantis native to Southeast Asia that can assume different colors to blend in with its environment. It also has a unique claw–like appendage on its forehead that looks like a flower.
The jeweled flower mantis habitats include humid subtropical forests or rainforests in Southeast Asia.