Double Shield Mantis
Pnignomantis medioconstricta or the Double shield mantis is a larger species of mantis that has a large range of color variations. They are quite fun to keep due to their large size and voracious appetite. They are often described with banded marking on the forarms and legs. Most adults will turn grey in color with checkering patterns on the wings. They often have light cheek markings as well. at the 5th instar they develop two shields on the pronotum giving them their name. Pnigomantis
They are endemic to the island of Flores off of Indonesia.
Feeding
Flying insects are the preferred source of food. As nymphs fruit flies are the ideal food source and increase to house flies and blue/green bottle flies as they get larger. They also will enjoy moths or other harmless flying insects. It’s recommended that the size of the feeder insect does not exceed 1/2 the mantis length.
Adults can eat crickets or roaches however they don’t often climb up high enough to where the mantis is hiding and go uneaten. Most pet stores sell fruit flies and wax worms that can be grown into moths. Larger flies can found easily from online suppliers or sometimes from bait shops.
