Stick insect specific species care - question

[vicareux]

Hello friends & enemies.

I have found this seller in my country that sells stick insects (which is damn rare that we have a invert for sale that is not a tarantula or scorpion here) ,and i have gained interest.
Now,as usual,when buying a new type of animal,i will research as much as i can on the topic,but there's a problem.
The seller doesn't seem to know what species is it.
When i asked what's the species called,they simply answered 'stick insect'. When i asked about a specific latin name,all i got was "Phasmatodea" for an answer.

Without the knowledge what the species exactly is,i would assume that just info on general care of stick insects is not enough for them to thrive?
How specific is the care for each different species of stick insect?

This is the only image if them that i have.

Thanks!

 

[vicareux]

Made a mistake - meant to post this in "other invertebrates" forum
Mods,fix please Sorry

 

[ColeopteraC]

Ask for better images if you do want a positive ID, phasmid care in general is pretty simple however. Look like Indian Stick insects (Carausius Morosus) to me so ‘basic Phasmids care’ would be appropriate.

However loads of Phasmid care info will recommend exo-terra’s etc. as enclosure options. These aren’t suitable and pretty expensive, a suitable cheap enclosure can be created with some basic DIY skill.


You’ll need a plastic storage box, of course depending on how many sticks you intend to get the size will vary however as long as it is not too small (for more than 10 stay over 50cm length, 70cm height. Species specifics may alter this).

Use a razor, soldering iron etc. to cut a square panel in your storage tub lid (or side,this will need a stronger blade or tool). The panel should be about 1.5/4 of the lid’s size in length. This is a safe standard for a good majority of tropical phasmids.

Using plastic suitable glue, glue a fine mesh panel (you can get from entomology or cloth suppliers, you can also use wire mesh from SIY shops) to this panel.The mesh should be fine enough so that they cannot fit their heads through it.

From there on out some tissue (or vermiculite, will need cleaning or replacing however) on the bottom and you’re set enclosure wise.

For food most Phasmids will take bramble (Rubus sp.), Oak (Quercus sp.), Privet (ligustrum) or Birch (Betula).

Hope this helps!

 

[vicareux]

Ask for better images if you do want a positive ID, phasmid care in general is pretty simple however. Look like Indian Stick insects (Carausius Morosus) to me so ‘basic Phasmids care’ would be appropriate.

However loads of Phasmid care info will recommend exo-terra’s etc. as enclosure options. These aren’t suitable and pretty expensive, a suitable cheap enclosure can be created with some basic DIY skill.


You’ll need a plastic storage box, of course depending on how many sticks you intend to get the size will vary however as long as it is not too small (for more than 10 stay over 50cm length, 70cm height. Species specifics may alter this).

Use a razor, soldering iron etc. to cut a square panel in your storage tub lid (or side,this will need a stronger blade or tool). The panel should be about 1.5/4 of the lid’s size in length. This is a safe standard for a good majority of tropical phasmids.

Using plastic suitable glue, glue a fine mesh panel (you can get from entomology or cloth suppliers, you can also use wire mesh from SIY shops) to this panel.The mesh should be fine enough so that they cannot fit their heads through it.

From there on out some tissue (or vermiculite, will need cleaning or replacing however) on the bottom and you’re set enclosure wise.

For food most Phasmids will take bramble (Rubus sp.), Oak (Quercus sp.), Privet (ligustrum) or Birch (Betula).

Hope this helps!

Thanks for the tips!
I have found another seller that has a wide range of species,and i think i will go for about 3x Lamachodes sp. "Nui Chua Yellow stripe". Are these okay to begin with?

I think i have an idea for the enclosure,just hope this works.
I will use one of my old glass terrariums ,and put it on its side so it can stand tall. (10 in tall,6.5 in wide,8 in length)
Then i will make a wooden frame and stick mesh to it to act as a door. Will that work?
(I am waiting for the frame to dry out,and then im gonna pin the mesh into it. Once that's done,i'll secure the bottom gap in the door frame with another piece of wood on the inside)

 

[ColeopteraC]

That would be ideal, Lamachodes are a pretty simple sp. to keep. Just keep them well ventilated and spray regularly. How many will you be getting? That enclosure will host about 12-13 adults. You probably could place more but that may encourage disease.

They take privet (ligustrum) and other prunus, lilac and hypericum also works.

They really are fun to keep, just remember they stick their eggs to the side of the enclosure. To harvest eggs spray them well and the adhesive which attaches them to the surface dissolves.

If you don’t want nymphs (or too many nymphs) place the ova in the freezer and they will be euthanised. If you keep the ova incubate them at room temp on aquarium sand. Spray them once or so every week, they are very hardy however and can withstand long dry periods without much trouble. This’ll of course set the development of the nymphs back.

Post updates, I’d love to see how it goes!

 

[vicareux]

That would be ideal, Lamachodes are a pretty simple sp. to keep. Just keep them well ventilated and spray regularly. How many will you be getting? That enclosure will host about 12-13 adults. You probably could place more but that may encourage disease.

They take privet (ligustrum) and other prunus, lilac and hypericum also works.

They really are fun to keep, just remember they stick their eggs to the side of the enclosure. To harvest eggs spray them well and the adhesive which attaches them to the surface dissolves.

If you don’t want nymphs (or too many nymphs) place the ova in the freezer and they will be euthanised. If you keep the ova incubate them at room temp on aquarium sand. Spray them once or so every week, they are very hardy however and can withstand long dry periods without much trouble. This’ll of course set the development of the nymphs back.

Post updates, I’d love to see how it goes!

Thank you for all this info! I'm probably going to get 3 or 4 specimens,no more than that,and i'll probably keep just that many future nymphs,if there will be any offspring.

Currently im beta testing the enclosure i made.
I let 2 dubias roam overnight. If they are still there,then i can label it as escape proof

Also,will they tolerate hanging out on fake plants or do they have to be real?
And how big do they even get?

 

[ColeopteraC]

Thank you for all this info! I'm probably going to get 3 or 4 specimens,no more than that,and i'll probably keep just that many future nymphs,if there will be any offspring.

Currently im beta testing the enclosure i made.
I let 2 dubias roam overnight. If they are still there,then i can label it as escape proof

Also,will they tolerate hanging out on fake plants or do they have to be real?
And how big do they even get?

You could put fake plants in there to hang out on but they need to feed on real ones, privet is probably the simplest to find.

If they get hungry they may also attempt to feed on the fake plants, I’ve never had this (being that I don’t put them in) however it’s a possibility. This could severely affect their health and take the space of real foodplant.

And how big do they even get?

Females get around 90mm, males around 60mm.