Leaf insect, Phyllium sp.

This species was formerly known as Phyllium sp. Leaf insects belong to the group Phasmida, which also includes stick insects. Leaf insects can be of various species, but always fall under the large species, hence the information below on the giant leaf insect.

The information below mainly concerns PSG72.

Appearance and Origin

The species lives only in western Malaysia and is the largest known species.

The animal has excellent camouflage: its body strongly resembles a ragged leaf. Not only is the color green and the body flat and oval, but the veins are also mimicked. Its legs are brown and have indentations, appearing irregular. This makes it even more difficult for a potential enemy to spot them. If the animal is caught anyway, it plays dead, because insectivores do not eat dead insects and sometimes drop the leaf insect. This is also its only defense; a leaf insect is otherwise completely defenseless.

An adult female is over 13 cm. (PSG278 remains a bit smaller with a maximum of 8 cm.)

Reproduction

Reproduction is special. Males do occur in nature, but they are not needed for breeding animals in captivity. In captivity, therefore, only females are available. The females then produce unfertilized eggs which do hatch and are all female. This is called parthenogenesis. (In PSG278, males also occur; they are smaller and narrower and can fly reasonably well with substantial wings.)

Development

All specimens born through parthenogenesis are females. Gynandromorphism also occurs in this species: the phenomenon that an individual possesses many male characteristics, yet is female. Young animals are called nymphs and are reddish-brown until their first molt. When the nymphs have just hatched from the egg, they look like small spiders. Later, when they start eating, they turn green. The eggs hatch after 5 to 6 months, and it takes almost a year for the animals to mature. The leaf insects go through 8 molting stages.

Housing

Giant leaf insects are kept at room temperature. Approximately 20 ^o to 25^o Celsius. They need a terrarium of at least 20cm long x 20cm wide x 40cm high. Such a tank is suitable for housing about five adult animals. There must be sufficient ventilation.

Feeding

They feed on blackberry leaves. If available, a sprig of rose leaves or oak leaves.

A jam jar with holes in the lid serves as a vase for the blackberry sprigs. This prevents eggs and nymphs from ending up in the water and keeps the blackberry leaves fresh for one to two weeks.

It is important that the climate in the tank is relatively dry. This is achieved by spraying sparingly with a plant mister. The animals drink moisture from fresh leaves. So always ensure fresh blackberry leaves with the branches/stems in moisture as described above.

Handling and moving

Sometimes it is necessary to move the leaf insects. The small specimens can most easily be picked up by the tip of their "tail" and carefully pulled loose if they are holding on. If you find this scary, a spoon is a good solution. With a little skill, they will walk onto it themselves. Carefully pick up the larger specimens. If they are holding onto a twig, do not pull hard. You can also manipulate them so that they walk onto your hand themselves.

Replacing blackberry leaves for nymphs

The advice is to first replace the withered leaves by cutting the leaves from the old twigs in the tank and leaving them in the tank with the nymphs attached. Remove the twigs and some leaves. Continue this until all twigs have been removed from the jam jar with holes. Once the jam jars have been cleaned, they are put back, and new twigs are placed in them. A few days later, you remove the dried leaves. Make sure to check carefully that there are no nymphs on them.

Maintenance

On the bottom, for example, lay a few centimeters of sandbox or tile sand. This prevents mold. The dry sand easily absorbs moisture and also easily releases it again. Before the sand is used, it needs to be thoroughly dried.

You can just leave the droppings. As well as the leaf litter. If there is a lot, you can easily scoop it up with a spoon and remove it. If there are eggs, you can also leave them.

When cleaning, you put droppings with eggs on a tray and can separate them quite easily. For example, you can use a tea strainer to quickly separate the sand from droppings and eggs. To then separate the eggs from the droppings. Inside, the windows are only cleaned with kitchen paper and a little warm water.