{"product_id":"hierodula-transcaucasica","title":"Hierodula transcaucasica","description":"\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon name\u003c\/strong\u003e: Transcaucasian Giant Mantis \/ Caucasian Hierodula\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e: Native to the Caucasus region, northern Iran, Turkey and the Balkans, with an expanding range across southeastern Europe where it has established itself in recent decades. Found in warm open habitat with shrubs, tall vegetation and edge growth rather than dense forest. One of the largest mantids naturally occurring in Europe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e: Feeds on live insects only. Fruit flies for the first two instars, then progressively larger prey such as houseflies, blue bottles, small crickets, locusts and roaches as the animal grows. Adults readily take large flies, locusts and roaches. Feed every one to two days for nymphs and every two to three days for adults, and remove uneaten prey the same day so it cannot disturb an animal preparing to moult. Do not feed in the days around a moult. Gut load the feeder insects, as the quality of the prey directly affects the health and colour of the mantis.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e: 24 to 30 degrees during the day with a drop to around 18 to 22 degrees at night. This species tolerates a wide range and does not need to be kept hot, which reflects its temperate origin. A gentle night drop improves longevity and moulting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHumidity\u003c\/strong\u003e: 50 to 65 percent, misted lightly every one to two days. Allow the enclosure to dry between mistings, as this species dislikes permanently damp conditions. Raise humidity slightly in the days before a moult, particularly the final one, since a dry moult is the most common cause of deformed wings and lost limbs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSize\u003c\/strong\u003e: Adult females reach around 7 to 8cm, heavily built with a broad abdomen and full wings that fall short of the abdomen tip. Adult males are noticeably more slender at roughly 5.5 to 6.5cm with longer wings that cover the abdomen and longer antennae. Colour ranges from bright green through to yellowish and light brown depending on the individual and its surroundings, with a small pale spot on the forewing. Sexing is possible from around L4 by counting abdominal segments, six visible in females and eight in males. Females go through around seven to eight moults to reach adulthood, males one fewer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan\u003c\/strong\u003e: Around 8 to 12 months in total. Females live roughly 4 to 6 months after the final moult, males considerably less at around 2 to 3 months.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDefense\u003c\/strong\u003e: When threatened this species rears up into a deimatic display, raising the forelegs wide and spreading the wings to appear larger, and a large female will strike and grip with the raptorial forelegs. The spines can pierce skin and the grip is surprising rather than dangerous. It is not venomous and is safe to handle with calm, slow movements, letting the animal walk onto your hand rather than picking it up. Cannibalism is the main practical concern. Nymphs must be housed individually from around L3 or L4, as this is a large and hungry species and group housing leads to steady losses. Females will also take males during or after mating.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBreeding\u003c\/strong\u003e: Both sexes are required. Allow the male at least two to three weeks and the female three to four weeks after the final moult before pairing, and feed the female heavily in the days beforehand to reduce the risk of cannibalism. Introduce the male behind the female on a large branch or mesh surface and keep an eye on the pairing, offering the female a large prey item as a distraction. Females produce oothecae roughly two to three weeks after mating and can lay several over their lifetime, each containing around 100 to 200 eggs. Incubate the ootheca at 24 to 26 degrees with moderate humidity, misting the surrounding air rather than the ootheca itself. Hatching takes about 4 to 8 weeks. Nymphs emerge in large numbers over a short period, so have fruit fly cultures running well in advance and separate the nymphs quickly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHousing\u003c\/strong\u003e: The enclosure should be at least three times the body length in height and twice the body length in width to allow safe moulting, as this species hangs upside down to shed. A 20x20x30cm enclosure suits an adult, and smaller pots or cups sized to the animal work for nymphs. The most important element is a mesh or textured surface on the ceiling for the mantis to hang from, since a fall during a moult is fatal. Add branches and artificial or live foliage for cover, keep the floor lined with kitchen paper or a thin substrate layer, and ensure good ventilation, as stagnant humid air is far more dangerous to mantids than dry air.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ilyas Insects","offers":[{"title":"L5\/6 pair","offer_id":60239558082894,"sku":null,"price":30.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0889\/1881\/9150\/files\/IMG-2603.jpg?v=1785260768","url":"https:\/\/ilyasinsects.com\/fr\/products\/hierodula-transcaucasica","provider":"Ilyas Insects","version":"1.0","type":"link"}