Spiny Insect Care
Life span
Life expectancy will be approximately one year. This species will grow quickest at 22-26°C, however, they will tolerate temperatures between 10-20°C with the only impact being a slower growth rate. From a nymph (a baby stick insect) males will moult five times, and females six times before they reach maturity. To moult successfully the Stick Insect needs to hang uninterrupted beneath a leaf or branch.
Food
This species of phasmids will feed on a variety of foliage. Ensure fresh leaves are always available, not letting them dry out too much as the Stick Insect will not eat these. Pisces Insect Food Plant is the recommended food source. Do not place plant cuttings in a jar of water as your nymph may drown. Spiny Stick Insects will eat a variety of gum leaves, Rose leaves, some Wattle leaves, Tree Lucerne Cadagi and Guava. Ensure you phasmid has a variety to choose from and ensure you use the leaves that they prefer. Beware that leaves from other locations, may be sprayed with insecticide (this will kill your Stick Insect). The safest food is Pisces Insect Food Plant. Use your Water Mist Bottle to spray the leaves around your insect once per day during summer and once every 2-3 days during winter, as your Stick Insect will drink these droplets.
Handling
The best way to handle Stick Insects is to gently coax them onto your hand. Stick Insects like to climb up so always have your hand slightly above them. Be aware that they have small hooks on their legs to aid them with climbing and be careful not to yank or pull them as you may hurt them or they may lose a leg. These phasmids have the ability to regenerate their limbs sometimes, this process will require them to undergo two moults before the limb is potentially regrown.
Enclosure
Be careful not to place the enclosure in a location that receives too much sun as this will overheat and kill your insect. Ideally, place your enclosure in a location that will receive 1-2 hours of afternoon sunlight. Your enclosure and Stick Insect do not require a heater.
Substrate
Ensure the bottom of the enclosure always has a thin lining of Peat Moss. This substrate will help keep the humidity high (aiding in successful moulting). The Peat Moss will need to be changed once a month for one insect, but once a fortnight for two or more insects to prevent any mould growth.
Water
A Water Mist Bottle is required to mist the leaves surrounding the insect once per day. This will provide a water source for the insect to drink.
Life span
Life expectancy will be approximately one year. This species will grow quickest at 22-26°C, however, they will tolerate temperatures between 10-20°C with the only impact being a slower growth rate. From a nymph (a baby stick insect) males will moult five times, and females six times before they reach maturity. To moult successfully the Stick Insect needs to hang uninterrupted beneath a leaf or branch.
Food
This species of phasmids will feed on a variety of foliage. Ensure fresh leaves are always available, not letting them dry out too much as the Stick Insect will not eat these. Pisces Insect Food Plant is the recommended food source. Do not place plant cuttings in a jar of water as your nymph may drown. Spiny Stick Insects will eat a variety of gum leaves, Rose leaves, some Wattle leaves, Tree Lucerne Cadagi and Guava. Ensure you phasmid has a variety to choose from and ensure you use the leaves that they prefer. Beware that leaves from other locations, may be sprayed with insecticide (this will kill your Stick Insect). The safest food is Pisces Insect Food Plant. Use your Water Mist Bottle to spray the leaves around your insect once per day during summer and once every 2-3 days during winter, as your Stick Insect will drink these droplets.
Handling
The best way to handle Stick Insects is to gently coax them onto your hand. Stick Insects like to climb up so always have your hand slightly above them. Be aware that they have small hooks on their legs to aid them with climbing and be careful not to yank or pull them as you may hurt them or they may lose a leg. These phasmids have the ability to regenerate their limbs sometimes, this process will require them to undergo two moults before the limb is potentially regrown.
Enclosure
Be careful not to place the enclosure in a location that receives too much sun as this will overheat and kill your insect. Ideally, place your enclosure in a location that will receive 1-2 hours of afternoon sunlight. Your enclosure and Stick Insect do not require a heater.
Substrate
Ensure the bottom of the enclosure always has a thin lining of Peat Moss. This substrate will help keep the humidity high (aiding in successful moulting). The Peat Moss will need to be changed once a month for one insect, but once a fortnight for two or more insects to prevent any mould growth.
Water
A Water Mist Bottle is required to mist the leaves surrounding the insect once per day. This will provide a water source for the insect to drink.