Phyllium giganteum
(PSG 72 - Hausleithner, 1984 )
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Phasmatodea
Family: Phyllidae
Subfamily: Phylliinae
Magnificent species of leaf stick insect native to Malaysia!
An emblematic species in arthropod breeding. The latter imitates a leaf to perfection. It is light green in color and also has veins on its body as well as brown areas. And to top it all off, in the event of a draft, it swings to imitate a moving leaf. Depending on the strain and breeding conditions, the color can vary from light green to brown to yellow.
Be careful when spraying water on smooth surfaces such as plexiglass or glass because young stick insects can become immobilized by a drop and risk dying stuck to the surface.
Also pay attention to ensuring that the humidity is correct throughout their development.
The L1 stage is the most delicate!
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This is a parthenogenetic species, meaning that the female can lay eggs without fertilization. These eggs will only give birth to females. Indeed, if males have sometimes been observed in the wild, they are non-existent in captivity. Reproduction is therefore greatly simplified in the breeding of this species.
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 fragile) 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 to maintain good humidity and make it easier to maintain the terrarium.
For adults:
Minimum (recommended) height of the terrarium: 2.5 times the size of the adult female.
The size of the terrarium will depend on the number of specimens. For example, for 3 or 4 specimens, plan a terrarium of 40cm x 40cm x 60cm for example. 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.
Mainly bramble. But it is also possible to use holm oak, guava, rosebush and raspberry.
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).
Be careful, it is better to avoid changing food plants during their development.
Renew as soon as the food begins to fade.
Temperature: between 22°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 come out of the egg completely 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: The female drops her eggs directly onto the ground.
Laying frequency: 1 to 2 eggs per day.
Egg collection: As soon as possible or each time the terrarium is cleaned and the bottom paper towel is changed. It's very simple, you just have to collect the eggs on the ground.
Incubation time: 5 - 8 months. Care must be taken to maintain good humidity and to ensure that there is no development of mold.
Development time : 5 to 7 months.
Means of defense: Be careful, they can easily lose their legs if they feel threatened or in case of stress, this is called autotomy . The limbs regenerate little by little when the stick insect moults.
Reproduction: parthenogenetic.
Means of defense: --
Activity : --
Shelf life: Shelf life is approximately 4-7 months.
