Rome, New York. Species?

[alex8459]

HI,

I recently have taken intrest in matids for some reason, im naturally a hobbiest and honestly should be cutting down (Baseball, airguns, blowguns, aquariums, trombone, ect.). I've noticed most set-ups are pretty simple, and i've also noticed at least one species is legal here (Central New York). Fruit flies seem pretty cheap, and i also keep a good supply of dusted crickets already. Based on what most people have, I guess that a large kritter keeper should do the trick. I am still completely new though so please point out any aspects or areas of concern to me. I do have one question in particular though, what is a good sized species that eats redily thats legal in New York, (preferably not brown)? If there are no other interesting species i can always go with the green ones we have around here Thanks,

-Alex

 

[maybon]

Scroll through the list of these - http://melbournemantids.com/exotic-mantids I do not know about what is legal or illegal in USA however I was under the impression you can get most things there as they act as a natural pest control method or something; double check with some people here there are a bunch from NY. I am from Australia, welcome to the forum.

A large bug keeper is fine for most medium-large mantids, a small mantis may have trouble finding food in one and the fruit flies are probably going to escape the holes unless you cover it up. Deli cups work great for smaller ones, with some ventilation of course.

 

[hibiscusmile]

Hello and welcome ! lots of nice mantis here!

 

[Mvalenz]

Not sure what the laws are like in New York, but hierodula majusculas are veracious eaters. They grow big and are green with a deep red, blue, purple and black under the raptor claws and thorax. This coloration can differ between individuals. You have to keep the enclosure pretty humid though, so frequent misting is needed. I started mine out in a 32oz deli cup and upgraded them to a larger enclosure (penthouse suite) recently. Below you can find a couple of vids on how to build an enclosure.

And welcome to the forum.

 

[alex8459]

Hmm, this sounds pretty awesome. i have a large pretzal container from a bulk store. i can take mesh from something like a butterfly net from the dollar store. Whats the common name for hierodula majusculas? just so i can do alittle research.

 

[Mvalenz]

Hmm, this sounds pretty awesome. i have a large pretzal container from a bulk store. i can take mesh from something like a butterfly net from the dollar store. Whats the common name for hierodula majusculas? just so i can do alittle research.

Common name is Giant rainforest mantis. I love watching these mantids hunt and stalk prey.

Correction to my previous post: I start them out in a 16oz deli cup then 32oz and so on. I buy deli cups from the dollar store packs of 4 or 5 for about a buck. wouldn't start nymphs that are too young in a big pretzel barrel right away. They won't be able to find food. Rule of thumb is 3x length of mantis for the height of enclosure and 2x length for the width. I use screen from the hardware store. It helps with ventilation I think better than mesh and its inexpensive.

 

[alex8459]

Common name is Giant rainforest mantis. I love watching these mantids hunt and stalk prey.

Austrailian... Don't think ill be getting these in U.S.

 

[rs4guy]

Yes you can.

 

[alex8459]

Yes you can.

I read that we can't get species from out of the country? If i can get them, can i get a link to a breeder/seller (already googled with no results)?

 

[gripen]

I read that we can't get species from out of the country? If i can get them, can i get a link to a breeder/seller (already googled with no results)?

Most of us here keep this sp.

 

[Rick]

Welcome

 

[alex8459]

I see, now i want one. How does the personality of Gian rainforest compare to an average chinease? Is it worth the extra trouble?

 

[CoolMantid]

The Giant Australian Rainforest Mantis is one of the most aggressive mantids ever! It took down a moth 2 times it size. They only need a little extra heat.

Chinese can be kept at room tempeture, they are not as aggressive though and they dont look as cool as adults.

majusculas are definetly worth the trouble

 

[Mvalenz]

I agree with Hertarum45. I too have given mine huge moths and they have no problem handling them. Very aggressive, but easy to handle. I have noticed molting issues if not kept humid enough though. I mist mine once or twice a day and that is enough to alleviate the mismolts.

Post in the "for sale/wanted" section for a H. Majuacula. Someone might be able to hook you up.

 

[maybon]

The Hierodula's are definitely an excellent choice, I have a male and female one or two molts away from being adults, they are both very aggressive eaters and even when they were young they would tackle large prey.

Once I accidentally dropped an adult roach in with a HM that was maybe 1inch long and he grabbed it and ate the roach while the roach was running away in its arms along the glass container. It just walked around while it was eating until it managed to pull it off the plastic in the tub.

Very cool species with a vibrant green and nice colours on the inside of the thorax and arms.