{"title":"Phasmids","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"phasma-gigas","title":"Phasma gigas","description":"\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"312\" data-end=\"521\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"312\" data-end=\"328\"\u003ePhasma gigas\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"328\" data-end=\"331\"\u003eis one of the largest stick insect species in the world, this stock is from Jailolo in Indonesia. Adults can grow well over 30 cm, making them an impressive display species for experienced keepers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"523\" data-end=\"626\"\u003eThis species is hardy but needs a large enclosure and a steady supply of fresh host plants to thrive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"628\" data-end=\"860\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"628\" data-end=\"644\"\u003eEnvironment:\u003c\/strong\u003e Provide a tall, well ventilated enclosure at least 60 cm high, but larger is strongly recommended. Add vertical branches for climbing and molting, along with a clean substrate such as paper towel or coconut fiber.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"862\" data-end=\"1035\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"862\" data-end=\"875\"\u003eHumidity:\u003c\/strong\u003e Maintain moderate to high humidity (60–80 percent). Mist the enclosure lightly every evening to allow the insects to drink and to help ensure proper molting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1037\" data-end=\"1207\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1037\" data-end=\"1046\"\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Accepts a range of host plants including bramble, raspberry, rose, guava, and eucalyptus. Always provide fresh, pesticide free cuttings and change them often.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1209\" data-end=\"1405\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1209\" data-end=\"1222\"\u003eBehavior:\u003c\/strong\u003e Nocturnal and slow moving. Females are large and heavy, while males are smaller and more slender. Adults are docile and rely on camouflage for defense, making them easy to observe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1407\" data-end=\"1500\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1407\" data-end=\"1423\"\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ideal range is 22–28 °C. Prolonged exposure below 18 °C should be avoided.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"1502\" data-end=\"1505\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1507\" data-end=\"1680\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1507\" data-end=\"1549\"\u003eShipped as healthy subadults or adults\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1549\" data-end=\"1552\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1552\" data-end=\"1622\"\u003eWeather appropriate packaging with insulation or cooling if needed\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1622\" data-end=\"1625\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1625\" data-end=\"1680\"\u003eShipping only when temperatures allow safe delivery\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ilyas Insects","offers":[{"title":"10 L1","offer_id":54692189307214,"sku":null,"price":10.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false},{"title":"10 L2","offer_id":54512112992590,"sku":null,"price":20.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false},{"title":"10 L3","offer_id":54512113025358,"sku":null,"price":30.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false},{"title":"10 L4","offer_id":54512113058126,"sku":null,"price":40.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false},{"title":"adult male + subadult female","offer_id":54756919378254,"sku":null,"price":40.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false},{"title":"adult male + 2 subadult females","offer_id":55070802116942,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false},{"title":"10 eggs","offer_id":55422217355598,"sku":null,"price":20.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0889\/1881\/9150\/files\/IMG-9042.jpg?v=1753990339"},{"product_id":"gift-card","title":"Gift card","description":"\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"105\" data-end=\"188\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eIlyas Insects Gift Card, The Perfect Present for Every Invertebrate Enthusiast\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"190\" data-end=\"560\"\u003eLooking for a unique and unforgettable gift? The\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003eIlyas Insects Gift Card is the ideal choice for hobbyists, collectors, and anyone fascinated by the incredible world of invertebrates. Whether they love ants, isopods, mantises, beetles, feeders, or terrarium accessories,  this gift card lets them choose exactly what they want from the full Ilyas Insects collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"562\" data-end=\"766\"\u003eGive the freedom to explore rare species, discover new morphs, or upgrade their setups with high-quality supplies. Perfect for birthdays, holidays, or as a surprise for the passionate keeper in your life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"768\" data-end=\"841\"\u003eInstant delivery, easy to use, and valid on all products in the shop.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ilyas Insects","offers":[{"title":"€10.00","offer_id":55177865199950,"sku":null,"price":10.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"€25.00","offer_id":55177865232718,"sku":null,"price":25.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"€50.00","offer_id":55177865265486,"sku":null,"price":50.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"€100.00","offer_id":55177865298254,"sku":null,"price":100.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"€200.00","offer_id":55177865331022,"sku":null,"price":200.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0889\/1881\/9150\/files\/ilyas_insects_logo_1280x720_091d4285-7653-496a-a6d0-1a6496161dfd.png?v=1768254258"},{"product_id":"heteropteryx-dilatata","title":"Heteropteryx dilatata","description":"\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon name\u003c\/strong\u003e: Jungle Nymph \/ Malaysian Stick Insect \/ Malayan Jungle Nymph\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e: Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo, Thailand and Singapore, where it lives in humid lowland and hill rainforest. One of the heaviest stick insects in the world and a long established species in the hobby.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e: Bramble is the staple and is taken all year round. Oak, hazel, raspberry, hawthorn, guava, rose and salal are also accepted well. Nymphs can be slow to settle on a new foodplant, so introduce changes gradually and leave the old plant in place until they have switched over. Avoid anything from garden centres or treated gardens, as pesticide residue remains lethal to phasmids long after application. Stand cut stems in a bottle of water with the neck plugged so nymphs cannot fall in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e: 22 to 28 degrees, with a slight night drop being beneficial. This species handles normal room temperature well but grows very slowly below 20 degrees. Avoid sustained temperatures above 30 degrees.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHumidity\u003c\/strong\u003e: 70 to 85 percent, misted daily. Consistent humidity is essential for successful moulting, and this is the single most common failure point in keeping the species. Underweight or dehydrated animals frequently die during a moult or lose limbs. Keep the enclosure humid but never stagnant, as poor airflow leads to mould and respiratory problems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSize\u003c\/strong\u003e: One of the bulkiest insects kept in captivity. Adult females reach 15 to 16cm body length and can weigh over 50 grams, bright leaf green, heavily built, and covered in short spines across the body and legs. They have small non functional wings. Adult males are entirely different in appearance, around 9 to 10cm, slender, mottled brown, with full functional wings and the ability to fly. Nymphs of both sexes start out brown and spiny, with females turning green after several moults.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan\u003c\/strong\u003e: Females live around 18 to 24 months in total, one of the longest lived phasmids in the hobby. Males are shorter lived at roughly 12 to 14 months. Females take around 12 to 14 months to reach adulthood, males considerably less at around 8 to 10 months, which means males often mature long before the females in the same batch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDefense\u003c\/strong\u003e: Females are strongly defensive and will not simply play dead. When threatened they raise and open the hind legs, which are lined with sharp spines, and snap them shut on whatever touches them. A large female can draw blood and the grip is genuinely painful. They also produce an audible hissing sound by rubbing the wings against the abdomen, and may rear up in a threat posture with the wings flared. Males are far more docile and generally take flight or drop instead. Handle females by supporting the body from below and never place fingers between the hind legs. Despite this the species is not aggressive and calm handling is usually uneventful.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBreeding\u003c\/strong\u003e: Not parthenogenetic, both sexes are required for fertile eggs. Because males mature far earlier than females, timing is the main challenge and it is worth staggering hatch batches or keeping males cool to extend their lifespan until females are ready. Females begin laying around 4 to 6 weeks after their final moult and bury their eggs in the substrate using the ovipositor, producing roughly 100 to 150 over their lifetime. Eggs are large, around 8mm, brown and barrel shaped with a distinct ridge. Incubation is very long, typically 8 to 14 months on damp sand or vermiculite kept slightly moist but never wet. Patience is essential, as eggs that look inactive will often still hatch well past the first year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHousing\u003c\/strong\u003e: Space and especially height are critical given the size of the adults. A minimum of 45x45x60cm suits a pair or trio of adults, and larger is better for a group. The enclosure must be at least three times the adult body length in height to allow safe moulting, as a female that touches the floor mid moult will end up deformed or dead. Provide a deep substrate layer of at least 5cm of coconut fibre or sand for egg laying, plenty of sturdy branches capable of holding a heavy female, and mesh or textured surfaces for grip. Combine mesh and glass to keep humidity up while maintaining airflow.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ilyas Insects","offers":[{"title":"20 eggs","offer_id":60218506576206,"sku":null,"price":20.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0889\/1881\/9150\/files\/IMG-2595.jpg?v=1785257120"},{"product_id":"oreophoetes-peruana","title":"Oreophoetes peruana","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003ename\u003c\/strong\u003e: Peruvian Fern Stick Insect \/ Peruvian Fire Stick\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e: Native to the montane cloud forests of Peru, including populations from the Tarapoto region, at higher elevations where conditions stay cool and consistently humid.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e: Feeds exclusively on ferns, from freshly hatched nymphs through to adults. Avoid ferns bought from garden centres as these are often treated with pesticides which remain harmful to insects long after purchase. Source ferns from an untreated garden or grow your own.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e: 16 to 24 degrees. This species is sensitive to heat and should be kept under 25 to 26 degrees at all times. Sustained high temperatures can be fatal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHumidity\u003c\/strong\u003e: 70 to 100 percent, misted once daily. Eggs benefit from extra spraying in the weeks before hatching, as nymphs can get stuck inside the egg if humidity is too low.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSize\u003c\/strong\u003e: Adult females reach around 7 to 8cm body length with yellow and black colouring, long antennae, and white stripes running the length of the body. Adult males are slightly smaller at around 6cm and turn a bright red with black legs. Nymphs resemble small versions of the adult females, yellow and black, and are active and visible during the day rather than hiding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan\u003c\/strong\u003e: 10 to 12 months.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDefense: This species has a pair of glands on the thorax that release a milky white defensive fluid when disturbed. The spray has a strong unpleasant smell and can irritate eyes and sensitive skin on contact. Uniquely, the fluid contains quinoline, a compound otherwise known only from coal tar and petroleum, and this stick insect is the only known animal to produce it naturally. Handle gently and wash hands after contact, especially if you have any cuts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBreeding\u003c\/strong\u003e: Not parthenogenetic, a male and female are both required for fertile eggs. Females start laying around 1 to 2 weeks after their final moult, typically producing 1 to 2 eggs per day, adding up to hundreds over their lifetime. Eggs are small, around 3 by 2mm, and darken as the embryo develops. Incubation takes about 4 months on a damp substrate. Given how prolific this species is, freezing part of the eggs is recommended to avoid being overwhelmed by nymphs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHousing\u003c\/strong\u003e: A cage of at least 25x25x25cm suits 2 to 3 adult pairs, larger enclosures such as 30x30x45cm comfortably house up to 4 pairs. Line the floor with moss to help hold humidity. Keep most of the top ventilation covered to retain moisture, and make sure nymphs approaching their final moult have enough clear space beneath them to moult safely.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ilyas Insects","offers":[{"title":"10x Medium sized nymphs","offer_id":60238244905294,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0889\/1881\/9150\/files\/IMG-2592.jpg?v=1785256891"},{"product_id":"phobaeticus-serratipes","title":"Phobaeticus serratipes","description":"\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon name\u003c\/strong\u003e: Malaysian Giant Stick Insect \/ Serrated Giant Stick Insect\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e: Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore and Sumatra, in humid lowland and hill rainforest. One of the longest insects in the world, with total length including the outstretched front legs exceeding half a metre in large females.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e: Bramble is the staple and is accepted year round. Oak, hazel, raspberry, guava, rose and salal are also taken well. Nymphs can be reluctant to switch foodplant, so overlap old and new branches for several days rather than swapping in one go. Avoid garden centre plants and anything from treated gardens, as pesticide residue stays lethal to phasmids long after application. Stand cut stems in a bottle with the neck plugged so small nymphs cannot fall in and drown.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e: 22 to 28 degrees. Room temperature suits this species in most homes, though growth slows below 20 degrees. Avoid sustained heat above 30 degrees combined with dry air, as this causes moulting failures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHumidity\u003c\/strong\u003e: 75 to 85 percent, misted daily. High and stable humidity is essential given the extreme body length, as an animal of this size needs a long soft moult to pull free cleanly. Dehydration is the leading cause of lost limbs and death in this species. Keep the air humid but moving, since stagnant conditions encourage mould on the foodplant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSize\u003c\/strong\u003e: Adult females reach around 27 to 33cm in body length, extremely slender, in shades of green through to brown, with the characteristic serrated ridges along the legs that give the species its name. Including the front legs held out in front of the head, total length can reach 50 to 55cm. Adult males are far shorter and much thinner at roughly 15 to 18cm, brown, with long antennae and a more active temperament. Nymphs hatch at around 2 to 3cm and are already noticeably elongated.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet note on handling\u003c\/strong\u003e: See Defense below, as the fragility of this species affects everyday maintenance more than in most phasmids.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan\u003c\/strong\u003e: Around 12 to 18 months in total, with females taking roughly 6 to 8 months to reach adulthood and living a further 4 to 6 months after the final moult. Males mature faster and live shorter lives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDefense\u003c\/strong\u003e: Passive. This species has no defensive spray and relies entirely on camouflage and catalepsy, holding rigid with the front legs extended alongside the head and swaying gently to imitate a branch in the wind. It is safe to handle, but the sheer length and thin build make it one of the most fragile phasmids in the hobby. Never pull an animal off a branch, as it will shed legs rather than release its grip. Always coax it onto a hand or let it walk across, and support the body along its full length when moving it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBreeding\u003c\/strong\u003e: Not parthenogenetic, both sexes are required for fertile eggs. Females begin laying around 3 to 4 weeks after their final moult and flick their eggs away across the enclosure floor, producing several per day and often several hundred in total. Eggs are around 5 to 6mm, dark brown and ridged. Collect them from the floor and incubate on damp sand or vermiculite at 24 to 26 degrees, kept moist but never wet. Incubation takes roughly 4 to 8 months. Keep an eye on hatching nymphs, as they emerge very long and delicate and need immediate access to vertical space.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHousing\u003c\/strong\u003e: Height is the single most important factor and the usual rule of three times body length is not negotiable here. For adult females an enclosure of at least 60x60x90cm is needed, and taller is genuinely better, as an animal that cannot hang free during a moult will be crippled or die. Even nymphs need considerably more height than their size suggests, since they moult repeatedly on the way up. Use mesh sides or textured surfaces to give the animals secure grip, provide sturdy branching for them to hang from, and keep the floor clear and lined with kitchen paper or a thin substrate layer so eggs are easy to collect. Combine mesh with solid panels to retain humidity while keeping the air fresh.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ilyas Insects","offers":[{"title":"20 eggs","offer_id":60239258976590,"sku":null,"price":20.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0889\/1881\/9150\/files\/IMG-2594.jpg?v=1785257250"},{"product_id":"ramulus-nematodes-khao-lak","title":"Ramulus nematodes \"Khao Lak\"","description":"\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon name\u003c\/strong\u003e: Blue stick insect \/ Thai Stick Insect, Khao Lak locality\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e: Southeast Asia, with this culture originating from the Khao Lak area on the Andaman coast of southern Thailand. The species occurs in warm lowland forest and secondary growth, and is widespread and adaptable across its range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e: Accepts a broad range of foodplants. Bramble is taken readily and is available year round, and oak, hazel, raspberry, privet, hawthorn and eucalyptus are all eaten well. Rinse cut branches before offering them and avoid plants collected along busy roads or from treated gardens, as pesticide residue stays harmful long after application. Stand the stems in a narrow necked bottle of water and plug the opening so nymphs cannot fall in and drown.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e: 20 to 28 degrees. Room temperature suits this species without extra heating in most homes. Growth slows noticeably below 20 degrees but the animals remain healthy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHumidity\u003c\/strong\u003e: 60 to 75 percent, misted two to three times per week. This species tolerates drier conditions better than most stick insects, but nymphs approaching a moult benefit from a light spray to help them shed cleanly. Avoid keeping the enclosure permanently wet as stagnant air encourages mould on the foodplant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSize\u003c\/strong\u003e: Adult females reach around 11 to 14cm body length, slender and stick like, in colour forms ranging from grass green through to grey brown, sometimes with fine mottling. Males are considerably more slender and shorter at around 8 to 9cm, usually brown, with longer antennae and a more active temperament. Nymphs hatch at roughly 1.5cm and look like miniature adults from the start.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan\u003c\/strong\u003e: 10 to 14 months, with adults living around 4 to 6 months after their final moult.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDefense\u003c\/strong\u003e: Purely passive. This species has no defensive spray or chemical glands. When disturbed it relies on camouflage and catalepsy, holding perfectly still with the front legs stretched out alongside the head so it reads as a twig, and it will sway gently to mimic a branch moving in the wind. Nymphs may drop from the branch and remain motionless on the floor. Like most phasmids they can shed a leg when grabbed, so always coax rather than pull them off a branch. Safe to handle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBreeding\u003c\/strong\u003e: Males occur in this locality, but females also reproduce parthenogenetically and unmated females will still produce viable eggs that hatch out as females. Fertilised eggs give a mix of both sexes. Females begin laying roughly 2 to 3 weeks after the final moult and flick their eggs away across the enclosure floor at a rate of several per day. Eggs are small, dark and seed like, around 3mm, and are best collected from the substrate and incubated on slightly damp sand or vermiculite in a ventilated box. Incubation takes about 2 to 4 months at room temperature. This species is prolific, so consider freezing surplus eggs unless you have takers for the nymphs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHousing\u003c\/strong\u003e: Height matters more than floor space, as the enclosure needs to be at least three times the adult body length to allow safe moulting. A 30x30x45cm cage suits a small group of nymphs or a few adults, while 45x45x60cm comfortably holds a colony of adults. Mesh sided cages work well and give the animals plenty of grip. Cover the floor with kitchen paper or a thin layer of substrate to make egg collection simple, and provide plenty of branching foodplant for the animals to hang from. Good ventilation is important for this species.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ilyas Insects","offers":[{"title":"10 eggs","offer_id":60239286927694,"sku":null,"price":10.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0889\/1881\/9150\/files\/B7A36C74-C7B6-4293-9984-CCDEDD307B7C.jpg?v=1785257676"},{"product_id":"xeroderinae-sp-cf-xenophasmina-ratchaburi-province-thailand","title":"Xeroderinae sp. cf. Xenophasmina (Ratchaburi province, Thailand)","description":"\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon name\u003c\/strong\u003e: Thai Bark Stick Insect, Ratchaburi locality. This species has no established common name and is traded under its provisional identification as a Xeroderinae close to Xenophasmina.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e: Ratchaburi province in western Thailand, in humid forest on limestone hill country near the Tenasserim range. Like other Xeroderinae this is a bark dwelling species, spending the day pressed flat against trunks and larger branches where its outline disappears against lichen and moss.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e: Bramble and oak are both accepted readily and either can be used as the staple. Bramble has the advantage of being available year round, so it is the practical choice outside the oak season. Guava and salal are worth trying as alternatives but have not been confirmed for this line. Introduce any change of foodplant gradually and leave the old plant in place until the animals have moved across. Avoid garden centre plants and treated gardens entirely, as pesticide residue stays lethal long after application. Stand cut stems in a bottle with the neck plugged so nymphs cannot fall in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e: 22 to 27 degrees, with a night drop of a few degrees. Room temperature is adequate in most homes. Avoid sustained heat above 30 degrees.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHumidity\u003c\/strong\u003e: 75 to 85 percent, misted daily. This is a forest species from a consistently humid environment and it does not tolerate dry air well. At the same time the bark surfaces it sits on should be allowed to dry between mistings, so aim for humid air rather than a permanently wet enclosure. Stagnant conditions cause mould on both the foodplant and the bark decor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSize\u003c\/strong\u003e: A small to medium species. Adult females reach roughly 5 to 7cm, strongly flattened and broad rather than stick like, mottled grey brown with darker markings that break up the outline against bark. The legs are held flat against the body at rest, with lobes and expansions along the femora that eliminate any shadow. Males are smaller and more slender at around 4 to 5cm. Nymphs show the same flattened build and cryptic colouring from hatching onwards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan\u003c\/strong\u003e: Roughly 9 to 12 months, with adults living several months after the final moult. Expect variation until the culture is better documented.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDefense\u003c\/strong\u003e: Entirely passive and dependent on camouflage. When disturbed the animal presses itself flat and remains motionless, relying on its outline and colour to disappear. It will typically stay put rather than drop or run, which makes it easy to handle. There is no defensive spray. Legs can be shed if pulled, so coax rather than lift animals off a surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBreeding\u003c\/strong\u003e: Assume both sexes are required, as parthenogenesis has not been demonstrated in this line. Females begin laying several weeks after the final moult. Like other bark dwelling phasmids the eggs are laid onto or glued against a surface rather than flicked freely, so check bark pieces, corners and the underside of decor as well as the floor when collecting. Eggs are small and cryptic. Incubate on damp sand or vermiculite at around 24 to 26 degrees, kept slightly moist but never wet. Incubation is likely in the range of 3 to 6 months. Because this species is not widely established, keeping records of laying dates and hatch rates is genuinely useful for the hobby.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHousing\u003c\/strong\u003e: Vertical surface area matters more than open height for this species, since the animals live against bark rather than hanging from twigs. An enclosure of 30x30x45cm suits a small group of adults comfortably. Furnish it with several pieces of cork bark or similar slabs placed upright, as these are where the animals will spend the daytime and where females will often deposit eggs. Provide foodplant alongside the bark rather than instead of it. Keep enough clear vertical space beneath a suitable surface for safe moulting, use a substrate that holds moisture, and combine mesh with solid panels so humidity stays up without the air going stale.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ilyas Insects","offers":[{"title":"10 medium sized nymphs","offer_id":60239335981390,"sku":null,"price":30.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0889\/1881\/9150\/files\/C0A62A37-1A3E-4AA4-8176-695860CB1D31.jpg?v=1785258018"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0889\/1881\/9150\/collections\/image_9424f6ee-c361-44db-a6da-6f2d00561faf.jpg?v=1749478513","url":"https:\/\/ilyasinsects.com\/collections\/phasmids.oembed","provider":"Ilyas Insects","version":"1.0","type":"link"}