Jeweled Flower Mantis
Creobroter gemmatus
The Creobroter gemmatus, the Indian Flower Mantis or Jeweled Flower Mantis. It is one of the most fascinating, colorful and simple mantises to breed in the world. It is a dwarf mantis (barely reaches 1.6 inches) that lives embedded among exotic Asian flowers. If frightened, it spreads its front wings to show off a visual masterpiece: a huge smiling eye ('smiley face' or yellow/black eyespot circled in white) to terrify birds, hiding shocking pink hind wings. Despite its size and delicious appearance, it is a neurotic, extremely voracious and fiercely aggressive micro-predator, capable of attacking and devouring crickets or flies almost as big as itself. Excellent introduction to the genus Hymenopodidae.
Ambiente
Terrestre
Umidade
60 - 70 %
Temperatura diurna
24 - 28 °C
Temperatura noturna
20 - 22 °C
Descrição da espécie
Geographic Origin and Habitat: The cited GBIF taxon record does not provide a geographic-distribution statement or habitat characterization for Creobroter gemmatus. No captive environmental conditions are inferred here.
Taxonomy and Genetics: GBIF lists Creobroter gemmatus (Stoll, 1813) as an accepted species and identifies Catalogue of Life as the source of its classification. This taxonomic record does not report a genetic result for the species.
Behavior and Habits: The cited taxon record does not provide species-specific behavioral observations; none are inferred here.
Morphology and Sexual Dimorphism: The cited taxon record does not provide morphological measurements or sexual-dimorphism data; none are inferred here.
Cuidado, criação e companheiros de tanque
Terrarium Setup: In an experimental study at Kasetsart University, two gravid females were kept in a 30 × 30 × 50 cm insect cage; after hatching, the nymphs were observed in five 19 × 28 × 10 cm containers, ten per container. These are dimensions and densities of the study protocol only, not a general setup prescription.
Lighting and Heating: The cited source does not describe a lighting configuration or a heating schedule for domestic husbandry.
Humidity and Hydration: The experimental observations were conducted at 27 °C and 80–90% relative humidity. These values describe the study conditions and are not converted here into a universal target.
Feeding and Supplementation: In the study, fifty newly emerged nymphs were fed live crickets while their development was followed. The source does not establish rations, frequency, or supplementation for husbandry.
Compatibility and Coexistence: The experimental group placed ten nymphs per container; it does not assess compatibility, aggression, or cohabitation as a husbandry practice.
Health and Common Diseases: This reproductive-biology study does not report species-specific diagnoses, treatments, or veterinary protocols.
Origem e distribuição geográfica
Esta espécie é originária de: Sud-Est Asiatico (Fogliame umido, infiorescenze e cespugli tropicali in Vietnam, Thailandia, India, Cina).
Origem
Sul e Sudeste AsiáticoLeste Asiático
Perfil de invertebrados terrestres
- Dieta
- Insectivore
- They specialize in hunting flying insects that are attracted to flowers. A diet consisting primarily of fruit flies for nymphs, graduating to green bottle flies, blue bottle flies, and small moths for adults, is ideal. They generally ignore ground-dwelling prey like mealworms.
- Tamanho adulto
- 5 cm
- Estilo de vida/Microhabitat
- Arboreal
- This small, highly colorful species is entirely arboreal, mimicking flowers in the tropical forests of Southeast Asia. Enclosures should be heavily decorated with artificial flowers, green foliage, and thin twigs to allow the mantis to employ its floral camouflage effectively and hunt naturally.
- Ciclo de atividades
- Diurnal
- The Jeweled Flower Mantis is a strictly diurnal hunter. It relies on bright daylight and its excellent vision to track and ambush pollinating insects. During the day, it sits completely still on flowers or green leaves, while at night it rests and becomes largely inactive.
- Socialidade
- Solitary
- Creobroter gemmatus is aggressive and highly cannibalistic. They must be housed individually. Even well-fed nymphs will actively hunt and eat each other if kept in the same enclosure. Visual barriers between adjacent enclosures are sometimes recommended to prevent them from striking at the glass.
- Reprodução
- Oviparous
- Breeding is relatively easy compared to other flower mantises, but female cannibalism is still a high risk. The female must be distracted with a large fly before the male is introduced. Females will lay several small, slender oothecae on thin twigs, which hatch relatively quickly.
- Venenoso
- No
- Tolerância de tratamento
- Tolerant
- While they are small and harmless, handling should be done cautiously as they are very flighty and prone to jumping unexpectedly. Adults are excellent flyers and will readily take to the air if startled. Gently coaxing them onto a hand rather than grabbing them is necessary.
- Brumação
- Não obrigatório
- Native to tropical Asian climates, they require a warm and humid environment continuously. They do not have a brumation period. Constant temperatures between 75°F and 82°F (24°C - 28°C) are required for proper metabolism, and cold temperatures should be strictly avoided.
- Muda
- Regular
- Molting requires the mantis to hang upside down from a secure foothold. Due to their small size, they do not need massive vertical clearance, but high humidity is vital to ensure their delicate wings and legs unfurl correctly. Disruption during molting can cause permanent crippling.
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