Biology:Pnigomantis medioconstricta

Pnigomantis medioconstricta
	Female L5 nymph
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Mantodea
Family:	Mantidae
Subfamily:	Mantinae
Tribe:	Paramantini
Genus:	Pnigomantis
Species:	P. medioconstricta
Binomial name
	Pnigomantis medioconstricta; Westwood, 1889

Pnigomantis medioconstricta common name Indonesian double shield mantis or double shield mantis are the only species in the genus Pnigomantis of mantis of the family Mantidae.

Description

Adult males are about 79 millimeters in length while adult females are about 86 to 89 millimeters in length. The coloration is highly variable, and seemingly not related to environmental conditions. There are red bands in between the upper abdominal segments used in the threat display used to deter predators. The characteristic "double shield" appears roughly after the fifth instar, females have nine instars, while males have eight. The inside of the forearms is a light blue-purple color, with dark black markings on the lower arms to seemingly act as eyespots. Most adults will turn a grey color with slight checkering on the wings, two light spots are present on the forewings. The Pnigomantis also possesses two light "cheek" patches.

Range

Pnigomantis medioconstricta are endemic to the island of Flores off of Indonesia.

Captivity

Pnigomantis medioconstricta are kept in captivity. Breeding this species can be a slight challenge due to females being highly aggressive and the smaller number of males per ootheca. This species of mantid eats many invertebrates and vertebrates. This species is strongly built and very aggressive, and they often chase their prey. First instar nymphs readily take Drosophila hydei fruit flies, and graduate to much larger prey as they near adult. Adult females will occasionally take live mice.