I need help with chinese praying mantis

[pedro92]

Hello i recently started back up with chinese praying mantises. What doe L3 L2 L1 mean i think its stages but can someone explain in more detail. Can i get some info on how to keep a mantis alive for awhile so i can breed. My big mantis is about 2-3 inches long. How do i know if it is a female or male. Can you post some pictures of your cages for any mantis. Is a ghost mantis hard to keep.

 

[joossa]

Hello i recently started back up with chinese praying mantises. What doe L3 L2 L1 mean i think its stages but can someone explain in more detail. Can i get some info on how to keep a mantis alive for awhile so i can breed. My big mantis is about 2-3 inches long. How do i know if it is a female or male. Can you post some pictures of your cages for any mantis. Is a ghost mantis hard to keep.

Wow, lots of questions. Try using the search feature. As for the Ghost mantid... well it isn't what anyone would call a good, easy beginner species.

 

[Rick]

Welcome. Please intro yourself in the introductions forum.

Most mantids can be kept under the same general conditions. Try the search feature as your questions are very basic and have been answered many times before.

 

[hook333]

should search for these answers but here goes

L1 L2 L3 is just how many times they have shed.

Ghost mantis are a little harder to keep but not too bad

To get your mantis to live longer bring temps down a little and do not feed as often

 

[hook333]

Oh and male and female...

In a lot of species the size and shape gives it away, especially at adult size. Most species you can count the segments. The chinese is easy to tell by shape or counting the segments.

 

[Orin]

Yes L2, L3 is equivalent to 2nd instar, 3rd instar, etc.

1st intstar (or L1) is a hatchling.

I'd say a ghost mantis isn't much harder than a Chinese though I'd recommend a Texas unicorn or Hierodula/Sphodromantis for hardiness.