Rhombodera valida

Taxonavigation

Taxonavigation: Mantodea
Superregnum: Eukaryota Cladus: Unikonta Cladus: Opisthokonta Cladus: Holozoa Regnum: Animalia Subregnum: Eumetazoa Cladus: Bilateria Cladus: Nephrozoa Cladus: Protostomia Cladus: Ecdysozoa Cladus: Panarthropoda Phylum: Arthropoda Cladus: Pancrustacea Cladus: Allotriocarida Subphylum: Hexapoda Classis: Insecta Cladus: Dicondylia Subclassis: Pterygota Infraclassis: Neoptera Supercohort: Polyneoptera Cohort: Dictyoptera Ordo: Mantodea

Familia: Mantidae
Subfamilia: Mantinae
Tribus: Paramantini
Genus: Rhombodera
Species: Rhombodera valida

Name

Rhombodera valida Burmeister, 1838

Description

Rhombodera valida, or the giant shield mantis, is one of the largest in the genus Rhombodera. This species is an overall dark leaf green colour, and has a large oval-shaped pronotum. This species can be found across asia, but prefers the areas with rain forests. An active predator of many creatures, the giant shields mantis is considered an apex insect predator in its native range. This species lays several large ovular oothecae that average 100 or more nymphs, this species is highly cannibalistic of their siblings. In captivity this species does well, and is popular among beginners, with its massive appetite and easy rearing this species has proven to be popular. During copulation the male will stimulate the female by tapping her pronotum with his antennae and raptorial forelegs, he proceeds by inserting his claspers into special grooves in the female. Copulation often lasts six hours or more and if successful, the female will lay the first oothecae in a matter of two to four weeks.