The numbers
Enclosure
20 × 20 × 30 cm
Diet
Privet (staple), honeysuckle, Aucuba; NOT bramble reliably · Fresh leaves always available; replace ~weekly
Temperature
18–26°C (room temp)
Humidity
40–60% (drier side)
Identity
Order / Family
Phasmatodea
IUCN / CITES
Not evaluated; not CITES-listed
Difficulty
Beginner
Commonality
Common
Adult size
F ~5.5 cm; M ~4.5 cm (velvety black, red vestigial wings)
Lifespan
F ~6–9 mo adult; total ~10–12 mo
Growth rate
Medium
Activity & niche
Nocturnal-leaning · Arboreal browser
Temperament
Calm; hardy; striking colour
Venom / defense
Sprays defensive fluid (peruphasmal) from neck glands — peppermint smell; can irritate eyes
Price (THB)
฿250–600
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
18–26°C (room temp)
Humidity
40–60% (drier side)
Min. enclosure
20×20×30 cm (H ≥3× body); mesh top
Substrate
Coco fibre; mist food plants every other day
Hides / decor / water
Leafy sprigs to perch/moult; mist plants, not the insect
Diet
Staple food
Privet (staple), honeysuckle, Aucuba; NOT bramble reliably
Feeding frequency
Fresh leaves always available; replace ~weekly
Supplements
None; fresh host leaves only
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Handleable but may spray — avoid the face/eyes; wash hands
Communal
Yes — gregarious
Defense / stress signs
Arches body, sprays scented irritant from thorax glands
Reproduction
Reproduction
Sexual; eggs dropped/flicked; hatch ~3–4 mo
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsMismoult if too humid/crowded, dehydration
Red flags / quarantine
SignsSluggish, shrivel, mould; ensure privet supply
Good to know
- Aims a peppermint-scented chemical spray with surprising accuracy at eyes
Others in this group
Indian / Laboratory Stick InsectCarausius morosusGiant Prickly / Spiny Leaf InsectExtatosoma tiaratumVietnamese / Annam Stick InsectMedauroidea extradentataMalayan Jungle NymphHeteropteryx dilatataPink-Winged Stick InsectSipyloidea sipylusSabah Thorny Stick InsectAretaon asperrimusThorny Devil Stick InsectEurycantha calcarataSunny / Sungaya Stick InsectSungaya inexpectata