Meet the animal
Creobroter gemmatus is an Asian flower mantis with patterned adult wings. Other Creobroter share similar trade names. Nymph appearance changes as it grows, so an adult portrait cannot identify every young animal.
Before you choose one
Ask for the scientific name, growth stage (instar) and prey it is already eating. Arrange small fly cultures and backups before purchase. Keep one observation animal; a short individual lifespan still requires regular care and a plan for any egg cases.
Set up its home
The proposed adult layout is 20 × 20 × 30 cm. Add secure overhead grip and leave at least four body lengths of clear drop under AES guidance. A nominal 30 cm height is not proof once furnishings are added. Nymphs need finer gaps and suitable prey containment.
Measure the clear hanging space below the actual grip after furnishing. Nominal enclosure height does not establish the usable moulting drop.
Temperature and safe heating
The keeper guide describes daytime conditions around 25–30°C and nights at least around 20°C. The proposed 25–28°C daytime band needs individual review. Control warmth and measure at the hanging position rather than trusting the room thermostat alone.
Daylight, shade and UV
Provide a normal daytime cycle around 12 hours, shade and darkness overnight. No mandatory UVB or exact UVI is established here. Suitable ambient observation light should not create unsafe heat.
Water, moisture and airflow
The keeper guide gives around 50–60% daytime humidity with a modest night rise. Offer fine droplets, preserve airflow and allow surfaces to dry. Do not drench the animal or seal the container to meet a gauge value.
Food and nutrition
Use cultured flies scaled to stage, beginning with suitable fruit flies. Adjust meals to abdomen condition, growth and moults rather than one prey count. Remove leftovers before pre-moult. A flowering plant does not replace live prey.
Behaviour and handling
Keep singly and avoid routine handling. Leave a pre-moult mantis attached to its perch until the new body hardens. For essential movement, offer a supported voluntary route into secure containment. Never pull feet from mesh.
Health and life stages
Damaged legs, persistent weak grip or failed moulting need experienced invertebrate-veterinary advice. Record stage, meals and moults and check clear space and moisture before changing heat. Do not pull away old skin or use household sprays.
Buying and keeping records
Choose documented captive-bred C. gemmatus with stage and food records. Resolve other flower-mantis labels before using the care plan. Check current import requirements and keep insects, egg cases and surplus feeders contained.
Your care routine
Prepare fine containment, fly supplies and clear hanging space before arrival. Check grip, droplets and vents regularly and remove waste gently. Leave stage and meal records for holiday care. Recheck every gap and moult route after changes to furnishing.
YOUR CHECKLIST
0 of 9 ticked
Jewelled flower mantis — Creobroter gemmatus
Care hub: wildformexotics.co.uk/animals/jewelled-flower-mantis/
Ticks are kept only while this page is open. Print or download a copy before leaving. Completing the checklist does not establish that an animal is well or an installation is safe.
Use these reminders alongside the full guide. Adjust feeding and maintenance to your animal’s condition and measured enclosure conditions.
Sources
- Creobroter gemmatus husbandry (Insektenliebe)
- Praying mantid care (Amateur Entomologists’ Society)
- Creobroter gemmatus UK breeder listing (Mantis House)
- Guidance on section 14 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (GOV.UK / Defra)
- Import of pet invertebrates, amphibians and reptiles: IIN (GOV.UK / APHA and Defra)
- Import or export endangered species: check if you need a CITES permit (GOV.UK / APHA and Defra)
Equipment checklist
Equipment examples for Jewelled flower mantis, grouped by care need. Read the checks before choosing. Shop links are Amazon affiliate links. Items without a verified Amazon match have no shop link.
Plan the whole setup: These examples cover only part of the setup. Meet every care need and test the finished enclosure before arrival. Suitable equipment you already own may meet the need; optional tools are labelled.
Check each item for your animal’s size and life stage, safe access, compatible controls and measured conditions. The list does not certify an installation.
Adult enclosure, substrate and shelter
Read the care guidance for this need
Exo Terra Natural Terrarium Nano Tall 20 × 20 × 30 cm
Model: PT2601
An enclosure option measuring 20 × 20 × 30 cm. Check usable space against your animal’s adult size and furnish it for the species.
Fit check: Measure the usable interior after substrate, furnishings and lamp guards are fitted. Check room for your animal’s adult size, safe access, secure doors, vents and cable gaps, stable supports and any digging depth. Leave at least four adult body lengths of clear hanging space below the actual grip, measured after adding substrate and food stems. Fit a secure roof grip suited to this growth stage.
Also plan for: Add the substrate, hides, cover and secure supports described in the care guide. The enclosure alone does not provide them.
Temperature and safe heating
Read the care guidance for this need
Exo Terra Digital Thermometer
Model: PT2472
Records minimum and maximum air temperatures near a shelter your animal uses, to help you check the temperature plan.
Fit check: The remote probe measures air at one location. Keep it away from direct lamp heat, secure it safely and keep the display outside. Use separate probes for warm and cool areas where needed. Minimum/maximum readings help track changes; this device does not measure surfaces or control heating. Use a water-rated thermometer for submerged readings.
Lighting, shade and UV
Read the care guidance for this need
Existing lighting may already provide a suitable day-night cycle. If you need extra lighting, use a switch or timer confirmed as compatible with its exact load, including any UVB ballast.
Water, humidity and ventilation
Read the care guidance for this need
Alternative equipment
Exo Terra Mini Mister — 0.5 L
PT2489; 0.5 L hand spray bottle. The Amazon title uses 16 US fluid ounces; this is not the conflicting 1.5/2 L pressure sprayer.
Adjust to the species: do not spray the animal directly, soak every surface or treat a mister as a substitute for drinking water. Use an existing suitable fine sprayer if you have one. Follow the individual wet-dry cycle; do not spray the animal, soak every surface or substitute misting for drinking water.
A manual misting tool only where the individual care plan calls for it. Use clean water, keep the bottle hygienic and free of chemicals, and do not spray directly at the animal. Check substrate/refuge moisture and drying/airflow rather than misting to a universal schedule.
Exo Terra Digital Hygrometer
Model: PT2477
Optional air-humidity monitor
Tracks the air humidity cycle near an occupied area.
Fit check: Place the remote humidity sensor inside the enclosure, away from direct heat. The reading describes air at that point, so record its position and check other areas where needed. Inspect the substrate and damp retreats directly, and keep ventilation clear. A humidity reading cannot show whether an animal has drinking water.
Also plan for: Provide the drinking water, damp retreats or safe water area described in the care guide. A sprayer and humidity gauge cannot provide these on their own.
Feeding and nutrition
Read the care guidance for this need
Also plan for: Use cultured flies scaled to stage, beginning with suitable fruit flies.
Equipment notes: Set up its home
EQUIPMENT TO CONSIDER
Exo Terra Natural Terrarium Nano Tall 20 × 20 × 30 cm
Model PT2601 · Front-opening glass terrarium; supplied screen top needs species-appropriate escape and claw-safety assessment. Check the supplier’s current price and availability, and confirm that the item suits your installation.
An enclosure option measuring 20 × 20 × 30 cm. Check usable space against your animal’s adult size and furnish it for the species.
Check before choosing: Measure the usable interior after substrate, furnishings and lamp guards are fitted. Check room for your animal’s adult size, safe access, secure doors, vents and cable gaps, stable supports and any digging depth. Leave at least four adult body lengths of clear hanging space below the actual grip, measured after adding substrate and food stems. Fit a secure roof grip suited to this growth stage.
Equipment notes: Temperature and safe heating
EQUIPMENT TO CONSIDER
Exo Terra Digital Thermometer
Model PT2472 · Remote air probe and minimum/maximum memory; place away from direct lamp radiation. Check the supplier’s current price and availability, and confirm that the item suits your installation.
Records minimum and maximum air temperatures near a shelter your animal uses, to help you check the temperature plan.
Check before choosing: The remote probe measures air at one location. Keep it away from direct lamp heat, secure it safely and keep the display outside. Use separate probes for warm and cool areas where needed. Minimum/maximum readings help track changes; this device does not measure surfaces or control heating. Use a water-rated thermometer for submerged readings.
Equipment notes: Water, moisture and airflow
Alternative equipment
Exo Terra Mini Mister — 0.5 L
PT2489; 0.5 L hand spray bottle. The Amazon title uses 16 US fluid ounces; this is not the conflicting 1.5/2 L pressure sprayer.
Adjust to the species: do not spray the animal directly, soak every surface or treat a mister as a substitute for drinking water. Use an existing suitable fine sprayer if you have one. Follow the individual wet-dry cycle; do not spray the animal, soak every surface or substitute misting for drinking water.
A manual misting tool only where the individual care plan calls for it. Use clean water, keep the bottle hygienic and free of chemicals, and do not spray directly at the animal. Check substrate/refuge moisture and drying/airflow rather than misting to a universal schedule.
EQUIPMENT TO CONSIDER
Exo Terra Digital Hygrometer
Optional air-humidity monitor
Model PT2477 · Remote humidity probe; readings describe air at the probe, not substrate moisture. Check the supplier’s current price and availability, and confirm that the item suits your installation.
Tracks the air humidity cycle near an occupied area.
Check before choosing: Place the remote humidity sensor inside the enclosure, away from direct heat. The reading describes air at that point, so record its position and check other areas where needed. Inspect the substrate and damp retreats directly, and keep ventilation clear. A humidity reading cannot show whether an animal has drinking water.