Pampered praying mantis lives in the lap of luxury lounging on miniature period furniture

A devoted inset lover treats her pet praying mantis to the lap of luxury – gifting it posh Rococo-style furniture and offering it roaches on miniature silverware. 

Samantha Steatoda, from Wisconsin, US, has turned her giant golden Asian mantis named Mavis into an unlikely internet star with its opulent tastes. 

Video shows it enjoying a fine dining experience at a mahogany-effect table, feasting on critters served up on a silver plate. 

Later, it is seen playing cat apps on an iPhone and in photographs is spotted bathing on a sun-lounger and even taking a shower.   

Video shows it enjoying a fine dining experience at a mahogany-effect table (pictured), feasting on critters served up on a silver plate

Samantha Steatoda, from Wisconsin, US, (left) has turned her giant golden Asian mantis named Mavis into an unlikely internet star with its opulent tastes (right, dining on silverware) 

Since welcoming the 'sassy' insect into her home, Ms Steatoda has treated her to a variety of props to clamber on and lazily lounge on (pictured, sitting on a miniature ship)

Since welcoming the ‘sassy’ insect into her home, Ms Steatoda has treated her to a variety of props to clamber on and lazily lounge on (pictured, sitting on a miniature ship)

Ms Steatoda credits Mavis, who is at least ten months old, with helping her overcome a previous fear of bugs and spiders.

‘I was nervous about getting a pet praying mantis at first given I’ve had fears of bugs and spiders before,’ she said.

‘I conquered my arachnophobia and next was to have a pet mantis. I’m glad I took that step.

‘I’ve had Mavis since February of this year, so not long, but I’ve learned to love and adore her within a matter of seconds of meeting her.

‘Mavis is very friendly, she loves to make eye contact and sway side to side. You can see her curiosity flourish when you look at her, it’s an instant connection that’s very adorable.’

Since welcoming the ‘sassy’ insect into her home, Ms Steatoda has treated her to a variety of props to clamber on and lazily lounge on.

Ms Steatoda credits Mavis (pictured), who is at least ten months old, with helping her overcome a previous fear of bugs and spiders

Ms Steatoda credits Mavis (pictured), who is at least ten months old, with helping her overcome a previous fear of bugs and spiders

Hilarious images show the bug sitting down to dinner at a dining room table, gazing at her reflection in a dressing table mirror and even taking a shower

Mavis is pictured enjoying an arcade game at Ms Steatoda's home

Hilarious images show the bug sitting down to dinner at a dining room table, gazing at her reflection in a dressing table mirror and even taking a shower

Ms Steatoda said: ‘I got the idea to buy tiny furniture and pose her up that way after I came across a purple doll chair at a thrift store.

‘I thought of her sitting on it and thought it was adorable so I continued with other small furniture I picked up from thrift stores.

‘She climbs onto the furniture and I let her do the posing.

‘It can take a couple hours depending on how many set-ups I have planned. I use my iPhone to get these photos and use a macro clip-on lens for close-up shots.

‘I get her to hold objects by placing a little bit of honey on it as an occasional small treat, that usually does the trick.’

Hilarious images show the bug sitting down to dinner at a dining room table, gazing at her reflection in a dressing table mirror and even taking a shower.

Video clips show the tiny critter absorbed watching an iPhone game and reaching out as if to grab a tasty snack from behind the screen.

When Mavis isn’t munching on dubia roaches and posing for the camera, she loves to climb – both inside her cage and onto Ms Steatoda’s head.

When Mavis isn't munching on dubia roaches and posing for the camera, she loves to climb - both inside her cage and onto Ms Steatoda's head (she is pictured at the dining table)

Ms Steatoda said that people love seeing candid shots of Mavis, and that she's managed to help others get over their bug fears too

When Mavis isn’t munching on dubia roaches and posing for the camera, she loves to climb – both inside her cage and onto Ms Steatoda’s head (she is pictured at the dining table, and at a miniature dressing table)

Ms Steatoda said: ‘Mavis enjoys getting out and climbing around, the way she sees me is just a tall object to climb on.

‘Mantises like climbing high, which means she particularly is drawn to my face and my head being the highest place.

‘It takes a while for her to come out of her cage sometimes. Just like any animal, they will decide when they want to do something or not.

‘She’s a little sassy, if I boop her bottom to get her to move she turns around suddenly with a glare of “how dare you?”‘

Ms Steatoda said that people love seeing candid shots of Mavis, and that she’s managed to help others get over their bug fears too.

She said: ‘Mavis is opening doors of a different perspective, people are seeing more than just a bug.

‘People are truly loving her and getting through their fear, one step at a time.

‘I love Mavis like anyone would love a cat or dog, to me she is perfect and all the pictures capture her cuteness.’

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