In full bloom...

This is Petal on the left as a full blown female Orchid Mantis. She has just climbed out of her skin on the right. She has shed her skin many times to reach this stage. She will now live for 9 months to a year or so before she dies of old age. The hardest part of keeping a mantis is balancing high humidity with good ventilation. I wouldn't recommend this mantis for a beginner, but there are plenty of easier ones out there!