Shield Mantis (Rhombodera kirbyi) is a large species from Indonesia and specifically from Timor island where it is endemic to. Also this species is more shy and can be scared a bit more easily as its natural behaviour is hiding on leaves – you can see this specialisation even with it body shape (wide pronotum for example). Feeding of this species is very easy – you can feed small nymphs with fruit flies and offer larger prey like Green Bottle Flies or roaches (Pallid Roaches, Red Runners, Lobster Roaches etc) to older instars. Adult insects can deal with very large feeding objects like adult Dubia Roaches, Death’s Head Roaches or locusts. Be careful with these feeding objects as they are able to injure mantises if you will leave them in cage unattended. Be aware – colouration of this Timor Shield Mantis (Rhombodera kirbyi) vary from green to brown.
