Bolbena hottentotta
Encyclopedia
Bolbena hottentotta, common name hottentot mantis, is a species
of praying mantis found in Angola
, Kenya
, and Namibia
. It is a tiny mantis species in which nymph
s are only about 2.5 millimetre (0.0984251968503937 in) long and adult females grow to only 15 mm (0.590551181102362 in) long. This species has recently been introduced to cultivation
but are still very rare and are raised by only a handful of breeders.
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of praying mantis found in Angola
Angola
Angola, officially the Republic of Angola , is a country in south-central Africa bordered by Namibia on the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the north, and Zambia on the east; its west coast is on the Atlantic Ocean with Luanda as its capital city...
, Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
, and Namibia
Namibia
Namibia, officially the Republic of Namibia , is a country in southern Africa whose western border is the Atlantic Ocean. It shares land borders with Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south and east. It gained independence from South Africa on 21 March...
. It is a tiny mantis species in which nymph
Nymph (biology)
In biology, a nymph is the immature form of some invertebrates, particularly insects, which undergoes gradual metamorphosis before reaching its adult stage. Unlike a typical larva, a nymph's overall form already resembles that of the adult. In addition, while a nymph moults it never enters a...
s are only about 2.5 millimetre (0.0984251968503937 in) long and adult females grow to only 15 mm (0.590551181102362 in) long. This species has recently been introduced to cultivation
Breeding
Breeding is the reproduction, that is, producing of offspring, usually animals or plants:* Breeding in the wild, the natural process of reproduction in the animal kingdom* Animal husbandry, through selected specimens such as dogs, horses, and rabbits...
but are still very rare and are raised by only a handful of breeders.