Does my Praying Mantis Need Heating and Lighting?

Some so-called “experts” out there claim that praying mantises do not need a heat or light source. This could not be further from the truth. Imagine yourself in an enclosure that is constantly dimly lit and cold—the days and nights merge together and you have no idea what time or season it is. Sounds horrible, right?

Praying mantises, like us, benefit from having a natural circadian rhythm. They are diurnal creatures. Having a light source helps mantises regulate their hormones and overall cycles. Some mantises even require a heat source, depending on the temperatures at which they thrive and the temperature of the room where you are keeping them. Some reptile light bulbs emit enough heat to serve as both a heat and light source. From my personal experience, keeping my orchid and spiny flower mantises in a glass enclosure with a strong reptile UVA/UVB bulb worked well. 

But if you are located in a colder climate, additional heating may be needed. You can use a ceramic heat emitter, a space heater, or even a heat mat. If you are using any of these, you MUST be careful. Mantises can get burned or dehydrated easily by these products.

When trying to figure out the temperature of your enclosure, try to find the temperature at the top and the bottom of the enclosure (two different spots). It is a good idea to have a temperature gradient where a mantis can climb down to a cooler spot if needed. For measuring the temperature, use an infrared thermometer gun.

And never place a light or heat source directly ontop of the mesh; always have it hanging. These products can become too hot and burn your mantis's feet.