Leaf Insect Care

For Giant Leaf Insects (Phyllium giganteum) & Philippines Leaf Insect (Phyllium philippinicum)

Leaf insects are very closely related to stick insects and rely on camouflage for survival. They even wobble in the wind and will fall off a tree like a dropped leaf. They are non toxic and relatively easy to care for.

TEMPERATURE

21-23 C, Well Ventilated

LIGHTING

Leaf Insects do best in well lit enclosures.

Avoid direct sunlight

HOUSING

Enclosures for this species need to be around 30 cm in height (3 times the length of the leaf insect. Glass, plastic and netting are all fine. We would recommend a 30x30x30cm. Coir fibre, chemical free soil or sand are all good substrates and will help keep humidity in the environment. Paper towel is also ok and is easy to keep clean and spot eggs but will need changed more often.

FEEDING

Most leaf insects do well on Bramble, Oak and Rose. Avoid feeding young leaves. Lightly spray leaves 2-3 times per week. Keeping food in water will extend the life of the food plant. Cutting the edges of the leaves is useful to encourage young nymphs to feed.

SEXING

Giant leaf insects are an all female species. Therefore they will lay eggs without mating. Eggs can take 6-9 months to hatch. Philippines leaf insects have both males and female and require to breed. Their eggs take around 5 months to hatch. Male Philippines have a longer abdomen, wings and long antenna. Each female leaf insect can produce up to 40 eggs in their life

GENERAL

We don't advise keeping leaf insects in with stick insects or katydids. They do

occasionally get nibbled on by mistake