The numbers
Enclosure
25 × 25 × 35 cm
Diet
Bramble (staple), oak, guava, rose; older darker leaves · Fresh leaves always available; replace ~weekly
Temperature
25–30°C
Humidity
70–80% with ventilation
Identity
Order / Family
Phasmatodea
IUCN / CITES
Not evaluated; not CITES-listed
Difficulty
Intermediate–Advanced
Commonality
Fairly common
Adult size
F ~10–11 cm (largest leaf insect); M rare, winged
Lifespan
F ~5–7 mo adult; total ~9–12 mo
Growth rate
Medium–slow
Activity & niche
Nocturnal-leaning · Arboreal leaf-mimic browser
Temperament
Very calm, slow; delicate
Venom / defense
Harmless; leaf camouflage; sways
Price (THB)
฿400–900
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
25–30°C
Humidity
70–80% with ventilation
Min. enclosure
25×25×35 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; older darker leaves
Feeding frequency
Fresh leaves always available; replace ~weekly
Supplements
None; fresh host leaves only
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Very delicate; minimise; support body
Communal
Yes — gregarious
Defense / stress signs
Rocks like a leaf; freezes; may drop legs
Reproduction
Reproduction
Eggs dropped; largely PARTHENOGENETIC (males very rare); hatch ~4–6 mo
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsMismoult (needs RH + airflow), dehydration, leg loss
Red flags / quarantine
SignsBrowning, shrivel, mould, failed moult
Good to know
- Often formerly listed as Phyllium giganteum; the biggest of the leaf insects
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