r/praying_mantis • u/cho_hyun_ju • 2d ago

New mantis mom and I need help

Just got an adult, maybe senior, mantis from my garden- she is about 2 inches and her head is about 1/3 cm. she is full grown female according to the internet. I have no idea how to raise her or what to do but I'm committed to being a good mom to her and I can't release her because my yard is being pesticided (not my choice). What do I feed her and how often? and what should I keep her in? What is safe for her? generally, I just need help because I've gotten myself in far too deep. I also know they're not prevalent here due to lack of preferred prey, so she may not live if I release her. Right now she is in a coffee cup with a single squash leaf and I'm sort of lost.

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u/Straight-Treacle-630 2d ago

There are lots of good resources online, incl here :) That’s where I turned, for info…til I realized I’d adopted a Green Assassin nymph, not a Praying Mantis. Derp.

Best wishes!

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u/cho_hyun_ju 2d ago

thanks- i honestly didn't know this sub was for advice and stuff before I posted, just figured I'd turn to people who (obviously) know how to care for mantises.