The numbers
Enclosure
20 × 20 × 30 cm
Diet
Bramble (staple), oak, guava, rose; prefers older darker leaves · Fresh leaves always available; replace ~weekly
Temperature
20–28°C
Humidity
70–80% with ventilation
Identity
Order / Family
Phasmatodea
Origin
IUCN / CITES
Not evaluated; not CITES-listed
Difficulty
Intermediate
Commonality
Common (best beginner leaf insect)
Adult size
F ~9–10 cm broad leaf-shape; M smaller, winged
Lifespan
F ~5–7 mo adult; total ~9–12 mo
Growth rate
Medium
Activity & niche
Nocturnal-leaning · Arboreal leaf-mimic browser
Temperament
Very calm, slow; delicate
Venom / defense
Harmless; pure leaf camouflage; sways like a leaf
Price (THB)
฿250–600
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
20–28°C
Humidity
70–80% with ventilation
Min. enclosure
20×20×30 cm mesh (H ≥3× body)
Substrate
Coco fibre; mist for humidity
Hides / decor / water
Upright leafy sprigs to perch/moult; mist 1–2×/day
Diet
Staple food
Bramble (staple), oak, guava, rose; prefers older darker leaves
Feeding frequency
Fresh leaves always available; replace ~weekly
Supplements
None; fresh host leaves only
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Very delicate; minimise handling; support body
Communal
Yes — gregarious; keep in groups
Defense / stress signs
Rocks like a wind-blown leaf; freezes; may drop
Reproduction
Reproduction
Eggs dropped; OFTEN PARTHENOGENETIC in culture (mostly F); hatch ~4–6 mo
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsMismoult if too dry (very moult-sensitive), dehydration, leg loss
Red flags / quarantine
SignsBrowning edges, shrivel, mould, failure to moult
Good to know
- Mimics a leaf down to fake bite-marks and veins on its flattened body
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 calcarataBlack Beauty Stick InsectPeruphasma schultei