Origin: India.

Environment: Rainforest.

Adult Size: 5 - 8cm.

Food Type: Privet, Ivy, Hawthorn, Bramble, Rose, Oak & Hazel.

PSG (Phasmid Study Group): 001.

Information: The Indian stick insect is very underrated, yet they are extremely popular amongst phasmid keepers both experienced and new. They are easy to handle, vary in colour (greens and browns) and are completely risk-free, as they will not and can not bite you.

Housing: This species is very easy to care for. They require a simple mesh or glass enclosure of at least 30cm in height (to allow for successful moulting). 

Temperature: Indian sticks can be kept quite satisfactorily at room temperature of 20-24 C (68 -75 F).

Humidity: Provide a moderate level of humidity (60-70%) by spraying the enclosure once to twice weekly with a manual water sprayer. You will find stick insects drink moisture from the food plant leaves and benefit from the increased humidity when moulting their skin.

Breeding: Indian stick insects will reproduce in captivity even in the absence of a male, this is called parthenogenetic reproduction. From the approximate age of 6 months (when they develop red armpits - as seen in the picture), Indian stick insects will begin to produce eggs (known as ova) daily. It is important to control overpopulation (only keep the amount of eggs you can care for), the rest can be passed on to friends and family or destroyed. It is illegal to release these creatures in the UK.

All our insects, when purchased will arrive with a care guide explaining all the tips and tricks to caring for your insect.

Origin: Peru.

Environment: Grassland & Forests.

Adult Size: Up to 5.5cm.

Food Type: Privet, Lilac, Japanese Laurel & Honeysuckle.

PSG (Phasmid Study Group): 270.

Information: The Black Beauty stick insect is a real head turner, with their velvet black body, yellow eyes and vibrant red wings, they are sure to catch the attention of all. Despite possessing their beautiful red wings, they are flightless insects and are used as a defence mechanism, as well as curling their tail over the body to impersonate a scorpion. They are easy to handle and are completely risk-free, as they will not and can not bite you.

Housing: This species is very easy to care for. They require a simple mesh or glass enclosure of at least 20cm in height (to allow for successful moulting) but if you can accommodate a taller enclosure, bigger is better. 

Temperature: approximately 20 - 22˚C, so no need for additional heating.

Humidity: between 55-65%, these will do just fine at average room temperature so long as the humidity is kept in the higher ranges which aids the moulting process.

Breeding: Unlike most stick insects, the black beauty stick insect is not parthenogenic and requires a male to reproduce. Females can be identified as the insect matures and in comparison to other Black Beauty's, the females will be longer and wider than the males.

All our insects, when purchased will arrive with a care guide explaining all the tips and tricks to caring for your insect.

Information coming soon.

Origin: Australia. 

Adult Size: 12 - 15 cm.

PSG: 009.

FOOD: Our stick insects have been raised on Bramble, but they can also have raspberry, oak, rose, hazel and eucalyptus

HOUSING: this species is very easy to care for, they require an acrylic/glass or mesh enclosure of at least 45cm in height (to allow for successful moulting) and 30 cm wide. 

TEMPERATURE / HUMIDITY: You can keep these stick insects at a temperature between 20 ° C and 30 ° C. In the night the temperatures can be allowed to drop a bit more.

This species does not have high demands regarding air humidity. They must have some water to drink almost every day, you can supply this by spraying with water onto the leaves they eat. Nymphs need more humidity than adults, because molting is easier with slightly higher humidity (around 60%). Ventilation is very important, a too humid environment without much air flow is a common cause of death for these animals.

BREEDING & INCUBATION: Males and females are easily distinguishable. Adult females are big, heavy and do not have large wings. The males are long and slender and have very long wings that reach past the abdomen. Males have very long antennae, this can already be seen in young nymphs (L5 onwards). The differences in size and body type become more and more evident as the nymphs grow. 

Extatosoma tiaratum can reproduce both parthenogenetically and sexually. When the female does not mate, she will lay eggs that develop into females. When she does mate, she will lay eggs that will develop into both males and females. The eggs hatch after 4 to 6 months when the female is fertilized by a male. Parthenogenetic eggs, when the female has not been with a male, hatch after 6 to 12 months. Keep the eggs on a moist tissue paper or using Vermiculite and Substrate at 25 ° C. Spray every few days with water, but allow the paper to dry completely before spraying again to prevent mold.

To avoid over populating, you can giveaway any surplus eggs or destroy them by placing them in the freezer for a couple of weeks, before placing them in the bin.

CARE: Place branches into a small covered pot of water to help keep the leaves hydrated and to avoid potential drownings (more common with nymphs). Replace food once a week, or sooner if you have really hungry stick insects. Clean enclosure weekly and replace substrate (soil, kitchen roll etc) and water pots. When handling your insects, avoid grasping them around their abdomens and instead encourage them to walk onto your hand by gently tapping the end of the abdomen.

Information coming soon.