Trachyaretaon brueckneri
(PSG 255)
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Phasmatodea
Family: Heteropterygidae
Subfamily: Obriminae
Very beautiful species of spiny stick insect native to the Philippines .
This is a species with a fairly marked sexual dimorphism. In fact, females measure around 12 cm (without legs). They are much more massive than the males. Their bodies are orange-brown, light brown or dark brown and are sometimes speckled with green . They have a pair of antennae striped with brown and beige. They have practically no spines compared to the males.
Males are smaller and thinner than females. They measure about 8cm (without legs). They are generally green to dark brown in color and therefore have a strong chromatic variation like females. They have visible spines.
At birth the young are thin, measure about 2cm and are light brown in color, then as they grow they darken.
The eggs are oval/elongated in shape with one end rounded and the other a little flatter and measure about 6mm. They are dark brown in color and have a smooth, micro-perforated surface.
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They must be handled delicately because when they feel threatened they tend to throw themselves to the ground and move quickly in random directions. Be careful of falls if there is handling at height!
In 2004 stick insects were collected on Dalupiri Island. In 2005 they were identified by Ireneo L. Lit, Jr. and Orlando L. Eusebio as Trachyaretaon carmelae , the largest species of the genus to date.
As early as 2003, animals were found (by Ismael O. Lumawig) on the nearby island of Calayan, which Oskar V. Conle and Frank H. Hennemann described as Trachyaretaon brueckneri in 2006.
As Conle and Hennemann discovered shortly afterwards, these are representatives of the same species that had previously been described as Trachyaretaon carmelae. Since then, they have also used brueckneri as a valid name for the indicated Trachyaretaon carmelae. Formal synonymization has not yet taken place. (Source: wikipedia)
For the eggs:
Provide an incubation box. We recommend our micro-perforated boxes with lids. Then several possibilities:
For young people:
Either you raise them with the adults (be careful when changing food, the young are small and thin) or you raise them separately. You will therefore have to use the same model of terrarium as the adults but of a smaller size.
The floor of the terrarium will be covered with damp paper towels in order to maintain good humidity and facilitate maintenance of the terrarium.
For adults:
The size of the terrarium will depend on the number of specimens. For example, for 1 or 2 couples, plan for a terrarium of at least 30cm x 30cm x 50cm. It is important to have sufficient height for moulting.
In addition, the terrarium must be partially ventilated . For example, with only one side made of mesh and the others made of glass. This will help maintain sufficient humidity.
The floor of the terrarium will be covered with damp paper towels to maintain good humidity and make it easier to maintain the terrarium.
For the female to lay eggs, it is necessary to provide a nest box, i.e. a box with at least 4/5 cm of organic potting soil, vermiculite, peat, sand or a mixture with these elements. It is therefore necessary to have a shallow container so that the laying substrate is accessible.
Mainly bramble. But it is also possible to use rosebush, raspberry, ivy, hazel, oak, pyracantha or even hawthorn.
To do this, you need to arrange the branches in the terrarium by placing the stems in a jar of water (to avoid drowning, be sure to block the entrance to the jar with paper towels, for example).
It is best to give young stick insects tender leaves.
Renew as soon as the food begins to fade.
Temperature: between 20°C and 25°C.
Humidity:
For the eggs: The incubation medium and the atmosphere must remain humid. To do this, spray a little water whenever necessary. Be careful if it is too dry, either there will be no birth, or the young may not be able to fully emerge from the egg or will be poorly formed.
For young: Humid atmosphere required, approximately 70/90% humidity. Be careful if it is too dry, the moults will be missed. Humidity can be provided by the food plant thanks to the foliage. Otherwise, you must spray a little water as soon as necessary.
For adults: Humid atmosphere required, about 70/80% humidity. They can tolerate slightly lower humidity. Humidity can be provided by the food plant through the foliage. Otherwise, spray a little water as needed.
Lighting: Lighting is optional if the ambient light is sufficient. Otherwise, additional lighting will be required.
Laying method: Females lay eggs in the spawning substrate. The eggs are therefore buried.
Egg collection: As soon as possible or each time the terrarium is cleaned and the bottom paper towel is changed. It is therefore necessary to search the substrate of the laying box in order to extract the eggs and then place them in the incubator.
Laying frequency: Numerous layings per day, very prolific species.
Incubation period: 3 to 4 months.
Development time : 5 to 6 months - This depends on the breeding temperature. The higher it is, the faster the development will be.
Number of stages: 7 (L1 to L7)
Reproduction: Sexual - presence of males and females. Outside of mating, the male tends to remain on the female's back.
Defense: None
