Empusa are middle-sized mantids, which are specialized in catching flying insects.

Empusa belongs to the family of the Empusidae. Mantids which belongs to this family are not able to climb glass. Because of this, you should laminate at least one wall with cork tiles or similar materials.

The main habitat of Empusa are dry meadows. Where they can be found at bushes or in the grasses. They love high temperatures (direct sun) and dry habitats.

Because of the low aggression between them, Empusa can be kept together. But you have to make sure that enough food is available in the terrarium.

The sexing is very easy. It's possible at the stage L3/L4 and older. The female's abdomen has 5 appandages at the bottom, the male's 6 (see pictures below).

(These pictures are taken from Gongylus gongylodes, but the sexing is similar)

Male

Female

At present, at least 34 species and subspecies are described, for example Empusa fasciata (BRULLÉ, 1832), E. guttula (THUNBERG, 1815), E. pectinata (DRURY, 1770) and E. unicornis (LINNÉ, 1763).

Typical looking of the nymphs:

• L2: like older nymphs, no mimicry

Empusa are fascinating and strange looking mantids. Because of the specialization to catch flying insects, you have to feed them with flys, wasps and other insects like these.