Insects

Besides the spiders and scorpions I am currently keeping a few leaf insects (Phyllium giganteum). These insects are a marvellous example of mimikry as they resemble the leafs of living plants including the dried edges.

Phyllium giganteum is the largest of the leaf insects and grows to about 10 cm in length. I feed the leaf insects with bramble, oak and acorn leafs. During the winter in Germany, only bramble is available fresh and therefore is there sole diet. I keep my animals at an elevated temperature (approx. 25-29°C) as this accelerates their life cycle and they reach maturity sooner. At room temperature this may take much longer.

These remakable creatures don't move much during the day. When disturbed they walk away in a swaying motion mimicking the motion of a leaf in the wind. This is actually a good way to spot them in a thicket of bramble: Blow gently into the terrarium and the phyllium will start swaying.
 

Another remarkable feature of Phyllium giganteum is their way of propagation. They are parthenogenetic, means there are almost exclusively females in the population laying unfertilized eggs which hatch again female individuals. Only every thousand or so individuals a male appears. I expect my Phyllium giganteum to mature sometimes later this year. As soon as they lay eggs and the young insects hatch I will pictures of eggs and larvae here.... so keep coming back!

06.01.2004: News - the first Phyllium started laying eggs.

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