largest mantis species

[Pizzaparlor45]

I am looking for the largest mantis species that is not a stick mimic. I am teaching a karate class and I was looking for a impressively large species to be the class pet.

 

[aesculpius]

Deadleaf mantises and Shield mantises are very large and easy to get a hold of. The chinese mantis here in the the US is fairly ubiquitous and while not as large as the other two is still sizable. If you feel like spending money for something awesome looking but rather difficult to raise the legendary Giant Devil Flower mantis is large and impressive. Honestly a dead leaf or shield are probably your best bet.

 

[bobericc]

Heh, what's wrong with a stick mimic?

Teaching karate, you should know its not always size that matters.. you should get a small spunky mantis and feed it an impressively large meal. Don't forget the reason why mantids were involved in kung fu were because of its capability of preying on insects natural predators.

 

[Sticky]

Griffin,R. Valida, H. Majascula.

 

[patrickfraser]

The largest I keep is Sphodromantis viridis. As stated previous, there are some pretty fierce little ones like the wallies and creobroters

 

[MantidLord]

Go for chinese mantis since, apparently, that's the species that the "mantis style" was modeled after