Leaf Insect Caresheet

Leaf Insect caresheet




[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

A male Leaf Insect.



Leaf insects are very closely related to stick insects (they belong
to the Order Phasmatodea)
and, just as stick-insects camouflage themselves as twigs, the leaf
insects are superbly camouflaged as a leaf (a process called crypsis).

Housing



Cages should be at least 30cm in height and can be made from fish
tanks or garden propogators stood on end, plastic sweet jars or custom
made netted cages. However, if anything other than a netted cage is used
make sure that condensation does not build up on the inside of the cage
or your insects will drown. This is especially important when housing
insects in old sweet jars.

Feeding



Almost all species will eat sprigs of bramble (blackberry) leaves
which can be found during the winter in sheltered places. Other
alternatives are oak and evergreen oak. Whatever fooplant is used, care
must be taken that the plant has not been sprayed with pesticides. Wash
the leaves and place them in a small jar of water to keep them fresh.
Take care to cover the jar with fine netting to stop any insects falling
into the jar and drowning.

Young insects are often reluctant to feed. This is a particular
problem with leaf insects. This can be overcome by introducing older
feeding insects into the cage or by cutting the edges of the foodplant
leaves with a pair of scissors to reveal fresh and mouth-watering leaf
edges. It is also recommended that leaves are lightly misted with water
every couple of days to allow the insects to drink - but be sparing!

Handling



When handling your leaf insects, gently coax them to walk on to the
hand, as they will shed a leg very easily if handled roughly. Unless it
is absolutely necessary, it is best not to handle the insects.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

A female Leaf Insect.

Breeding



With luck, the females will begin laying eggs a few weeks after
becoming adult. Each female will lay about 40 eggs at the rate of one or
two per day.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

The image above shows a Leaf Insect egg with ruler
for scale (each division is 1 millimetre).

Place the eggs on moist silver sand in a plastic or perspex box with a
tightly fitting lid. Keep the box at about 20-25°C. When the eggs hatch
place the young onto fresh bramble which has had the edges cut to
stimulate eating. This is the most crucial time in rearing these
insects. With care, most species of leaf insects can be bred
successfully.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

A Leaf Insect nymph shortly after hatching.

Lost limbs



Leaf insects undergo incomplete
metamorphosis. Sometimes, often if their cage is too dry, a leaf
insect may have trouble shedding its old skin and will lose a limb in
the process of moulting. If this happens it is possible for them to
regrow the lost limb but only when they moult again. This means that, if
your leaf insect is an adult, then it won't be able to regrow the lost
limb.