/r/Phasmids

Photograph via snooOG

Walking sticks and leaf insects

Walking sticks and leaf insects, collectively called phasmids, are some of the most exotic and interesting insects in the world. Submitters are encouraged to post their own phasmids here as well as educate others on their care and housing. Trading and selling is also allowed, but keep in mind that phasmids are highly regulated in the United States.

/r/Phasmids

976 Subscribers

2

Stick insect help

Hello fellow insect redditors, I have made myself an stick insect owner (2), but I am running into a bit of a situation as I am new to looking after these types of insects, Each day my stick insects don't really move from a spot and I've rarely seen it eating, I am feeding them lettuce and ivy, I've seen them drink though, is this normal (they are 5 days old) any tips on looking after these would greatly be appreciated thank you

6 Comments
2023/06/01
21:04 UTC

2

Concerned my Extatosoma tiaratum nymphs are not eating

This is my first go at this species. My eggs have started hatching and I am becoming concerned that I have not seen any evidence of feeding. I have not seen frass, and since they are so small, I haven’t been able to see any chew marks on the leaves (I have torn leaf edges to assist them).

One nymph hatched about a week and a half ago, and two more hatched three days ago. I’m in the US (TX), and don’t have access to fresh gum leaves, so I have given them two types of oak and an heirloom rose bush. They are quite active and they always drink when I mist them.

Pictured is one of my nymphs that I took two days ago. Are there any other types of plants I could offer them that young nymphs especially like?

2 Comments
2023/05/15
23:54 UTC

1

Mister and Humidity

Hi all newish owner here.

I have Spiny Leaf Insects - Extatosoma tiaratum. I am thinking that I do not have my humidity high enough, and going into winter here in Aus it will only get worse. I am not living in their natural range, I live in a much drier and colder part of Aus. They are in a wooden cupboard that I modified to have gauze/mesh on two sides. I have attached a pic, although I now have lots of leaves on the top shelf as well and some paper to hold the moisture on the lowest shelf.

I did have 4 babies that I got from a friend, as well as two adults I bought earlier. 3 of the babies died just after moulting, and at least 2 had deformed legs. So I am thinking that humidity is the problem.

I try to mist them three times a day. There is also water in the leaf jars (tiny holes so they can't drown).

Do you think one of those terrarium misters that read the humidity and spray accordingly would be a good idea? Can anyone recommend a brand? How do I keep an eye out for mould? Appreciate any advice from others on how to keep humidity high, or perhaps what else could be killing them.

0 Comments
2023/05/15
13:19 UTC

1

Where to buy?

Hello I am located in United States where can I purchase Peruphasma Shultei? I do have my permit.

1 Comment
2023/05/09
13:20 UTC

1

New extatosoma tiaratum not eating

Hi, I got two extatosoma tiaratum (young females) 2 days ago, they are ina bioactive terrarium but they seem not to be eating at all I gave them a few bramble branches, they had been shipped with bramble, and seemed to have eaten some of that during shipping but since I got them, I have seen them eat nothing at all. Does anyone have some tips? I move them from time to time onto the bramble, so it's not like they can't find it

1 Comment
2023/05/06
18:08 UTC

11

Direct comparison of Planispectrum hongkongense "Tai Tam" and Eurycantha horrida "Popondetta". An adult female and one L1 nymph of both species.

0 Comments
2023/04/26
18:55 UTC

6

Extatosoma tiaratum "Innisfail"

0 Comments
2023/04/24
14:33 UTC

2

Extatosoma tiaratum(giant prickly insect) food

Is Epipremnum aureum-plant poisonous to these little fellows? They once came in contact with it and immediately started to feast upon it.

1 Comment
2023/04/04
07:12 UTC

6

MacGyver the stick

Ive had stick insects over the last year, the last one died in January. I always cleaned out the eggs(obviously I missed one) and after the last one died I disinfected the whole terrarium because I didn't know what to get next. My cats LIVED in the terrarium basically. And still, a few days ago, this little guy showed up. I cant kill it, so I just hope it's a male because I don't want to deal with more eggs... he seems to already have shed because he's a tiny bit bigger than the babies last year... I wonder where he got food.

0 Comments
2023/04/03
18:41 UTC

2

Best places to buy stick insects in Australia?

I'm trying to buy some stick insects as a gift for my friend who is very interested in bugs. There seem to be a lot of places to buy stick insects online in Australia, but just wondering which sites are the most reliable and take good care of their insects. I'm thinking of buying one or two males (not sure what species) and then having them shipped to my friends address in Sydney. Thanks!

3 Comments
2023/03/31
05:14 UTC

1

What's the diffe between Eurycnema osiris and Eurycnema goliath?

I'm a novice in terms of stick insects.

E. osiris and E. goliath look very similar to me. Are they the same species?

0 Comments
2023/03/30
21:38 UTC

7

Don’t put stick insects in the freezer to hasten death

So I have an Indian stick insect who has suffered a mismoult and looks to be heading towards death. I called up a Phasmid expert for help and happened to mention that I wasn’t sure whether I should be putting her in the freezer to save her from the incoming suffering, which was what I had read on Reddit as essentially the best form of euthanasia for Phasmids and other insects. She said that I absolutely should not do that, as it’s actually a horrible practice that seems to have spread as a rumour, but that it is an awful death, it’s slow and causes death by all of the cells in their body exploding, and it’s extremely painful for them. Since I heard it on Reddit and had taken it on as common practice and presumably the best option in a terrible situation, I thought I should probably do the exact opposite of spreading the rumour further and instead let people know that it’s not an appropriate practice. The expert on the phone said better to let them die a natural death.

6 Comments
2023/03/29
20:32 UTC

32

Photograph of phasmid eggs by photographer Levon Biss

3 Comments
2023/03/26
07:24 UTC

1

Hatching northern walkingstick eggs

A while back (1-2years) I managed to have three northern walkingsticks. They, of course, laid hundreds of eggs.

I couldn't find much on keeping this species. I also did not find much about hatching these eggs. I knew they likely needed a cold period.

I split the eggs up. About a hundred I separated and put in small deli containers on paper towel. 90% went into my wine fridge that is for my ants during the winter. I kept it at 42-45 degrees. The other 10% went into the normal fridge. The ones still left before separation went, dirt and all, into the ant fridge.

Not a single one hatched. I tried keeping some moist, some dry, some in the light, still nothing.

So, what should be done with these?

7 Comments
2023/03/19
03:23 UTC

1

Anyone know a US seller?

I'm trying to figure out if there is someone that sells a US species.

0 Comments
2023/03/19
03:17 UTC

6

Unidentified stick insect in Sydney, Australia - what is it?

3 Comments
2023/03/18
06:15 UTC

9

Epidares nolimetangere

0 Comments
2023/03/17
21:21 UTC

2

Just had to put down my last spiny. Looking for advice before purchasing more.

At the start of last year, we purchased 3 spiny leaf insects. Last week 2 of them were found dead at the bottom of their cage, and I just euthanized the last. They all had clear black spots on their bodies which I am inclined to believe is some sort of fungal infection.

I'm just looking for any advice to prevent this from happening again. Here are their living conditions:

  • They live in a large mesh cage.
  • We would place a new branch of eucalyptus in a jar of water twice a week.
  • We would spray water into their enclosure at least daily.
  • We place paper towel at the bottom of the enclosure which we would change with the leaves.
  • The enclosure is located in our bedroom, where there is a lot of airflow, either through the window of the apartment or from fans if it is a hot night.
2 Comments
2023/03/11
01:08 UTC

2

Thoughts on cohabiting different species of stick insects? (same diet and environment)

Provided they would need the same environment and food of course. I currently have a single female haaniella dehaanni after the male died and I can't find another one of the species but I've seen plenty of other stick insects being sold around that also feed on bramble and are from similar climates. The internet seems to say its okay to mix them sometimes but other sites say they shouldn't mix. Have any of you kept different species together? What are your thoughts?

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4 Comments
2023/03/10
11:57 UTC

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