Stick insect and leaf insect for sale, 5 new beautiful species!

Stick insect eggs and nymphs of 5 new species are now offered for sale in our shop. If you want to learn more about their biology and about stick insects in general, you might be interested in reading the following content.

Phasmids, stick insects, are the members of the Phasmatodea order (also known as Phasmida, Phasmatoptera or Spectra). This group consists in hemimetabolous insects whose members are variously known as stick insects, stick-bugs, walking sticks, or bug sticks. They are generally referred to as phasmatodeans, phasmids, or ghost insects. Phasmids in the family Phylliidae are called leaf insects, leaf-bugs, walking leaves, or bug leaves. The group’s name is derived from the Ancient Greek φάσμα phasma, meaning an apparition or phantom, referring to their resemblance to vegetation while in fact being animals.

Many species of phasmids are parthenogenic, meaning that the females can lay eggs without needing to mate with males. The offspring from virgin mothers are entirely female and hatch into nymphs that are exact copies of their mothers (clones). Stick insect species that are the product of hybridization are usually obligate parthenogens, but non-hybrids are facultative parthenogens, meaning they retain the ability to mate and their sexual behavior depends on the presence and abundance of males.

Stick insects are abundantly reared in captivity by amateurs, which enjoy their particular behaviors and development. They are generally easy to rear and way less demanding compared to other insect orders as Lepidoptera or Mantodea. Phasmids captive reared strains have been catalogued by the Phasmid Study Group and assigned a number. There are currently around 495 species inserted in their archive, from PSG1 to PSG495.

The species has the Phasmid Study Group number PSG4.

Phyllium letiranti, leaf insect from Peleng island, Indonesia.

Phyllium letiranti is a species of phasmid or walking leaf of the genus Phyllium. It is currently only found in Peleng, Indonesia.

Buy eggs of Phyllium letiranti – Click here

Stick insect eggs of this species hatch in 4-6 months. The ones for sale have been incubated for a couple of months and are expected to hatch in 2-4 months depending on temperature. Nymphs take 6 months and 6 molts before reaching adulthood. Adults of Phillium letiranti live for other 8 months, laying eggs throughout this period.

Phyllium gatungense, a beautiful leaf insect from Palawan, Philippines.

Phyllium gatungense is a very interesting stick insect species with a characteristic leaf shape. Adult females are fairly large and can reach a length of about 10/12 cm.

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Peruphasma schultei, a beautiful stick insect from South America.

This phasmid species has a black coloration and presents small red wings but it cannot fly. Females can reach 10cm length at adulthood. They are beautiful and very easy to rear, thus suitable and recommended for beginners. Peruphasma schultei consume low amounts of food so can be reared also in potted plants. This is a sexual stick insect species, adults will pair and the female will lay eggs.

The species has the Phasmid Study Group number PSG270. 

Buy eggs of Peruphasma schultei – Click here

Stick insect eggs of this species hatch in 4-5 months. The ones for sale have been incubated for a couple of months and are expected to hatch in 2-3 months depending on temperature. Nymphs take 6-8 months and 6 molts before reaching adulthood. Adults of Peruphasma schultei live for other 8 months, laying eggs and mating throughout this period.

Phaenopharos khaoyaiensis, a nice and large stick insect from Thailand.

Phaenopharos khaoyaiensis is a large stick insect species that presents small orange wings but it cannot fly. Females can reach 20cm length at. They are very easy to rear thus suitable for beginners. This is a parthenogenetic stick insect species in captivity, only females are present in this brood.

The species has the Phasmid Study Group number PSG215. 

Buy eggs of Phaenopharos khaoyaiensis – Click here

Buy nymphs of Phaenopharos khaoyaiensis – Click here

Stick insect eggs of this species hatch in 4-6 months. The ones for sale have been incubated for a couple of months and are expected to hatch in 2-4 months depending on temperature. Nymphs take 6 months and 6 molts before reaching adulthood. Adults of Phaenopharos khaoyaiensis live for other 8 months, laying eggs throughout this period.

Sipyloidea sipylus, the Madagascan stick insect eggs.

Sipyloidea sipylus, the Madagascan stick insect is a nice Phasmatodea species which is largely reared by amateur insect lovers. It is a medium size stick insect, native to Madagascar. It exhibits the sexual dimorphism, males are small and thinner. They have large wings and are able to fly, if disturbed they can fly away.

Buy eggs of Sipyloidea sipylus – Click here

Buy nymphs of Sipyloidea sipylus – Click here

The Madagascan stick insect eggs now in stock have been incubated for a couple of months and are expected to hatch in 1-2 months depending on temperature. Sipyloidea sipylus nymphs take around 4 months to become adults and then can live up to one year.

Rearing and breeding stick insects

Phasmid are generally easy to rear in captivity. They don’t require large amounts of space and food. In addition, conversely to Lepidoptera, young nymphs behave similarly to large adults, making it simpler to handle their full life cycle. They are also more diffused as pets as they live longer in their adult stage, normally from 5 to 12 months. This long lifespan allows the breeder time to harvest eggs and start a new one while the first is still alive. This way stick insects can be reared continuously.

Check our rearing equipment for phasmids – Click here

Stick insect eggs are incubated into plastic Petri dish, paying attention to increase the humidity by spraying often the lid with water. Young nymphs are left in small plastic boxes until they reach a reasonable size to be moved in our standard rearing cages. 40x60cm space is enough to keep about 8-20 adults depending on the species. Adults can be kept in the same cage with younger nymphs.