Giant Malaysian Shield
Rhombodera basais or Giant Shield Mantis is a large robust species sporting a round prothorax giving it, its name. Adults can reach up to 4 inches long with bright green coloration. They have a big appetite and will eat anything they can catch. Its not uncommon for this species to be able to eat even small lizards or snakes.
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.
