| Rhombodera kirbyi | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Mantodea |
| Family: | Mantidae |
| Subfamily: | Hierodulinae |
| Tribe: | Hierodulini |
| Genus: | Rhombodera |
| Species: | R. kirbyi |
| Binomial name | |
| Rhombodera kirbyi Beier, 1952 | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Rhombodera kirbyi is a species of praying mantises in the family Mantidae, found in Timor, giving it its common name of the Timor Shield Mantis. [1] [2] [3]
The kirbyi is a large species of mantis with the female reaching up to 10 cm with the male slightly smaller at 8-8.5 cm. It is found in different morphs ranging from a very pale green to a dark brown colour. The kirbyi is also sometimes kept as a pet do to low requirements.
Diet: while young nymphs will feed on small insects the more molts they go through their diet will change large juveniles or adults are able to consume small vertebrates
Sexual dimorphism: while males will have 7-8 segments on their abdomen females only have 6. Also females are significantly more massive and slightly longer than males.
