Ancylecha fenestrata

Basic caresheet

Common name
Windowed leaf katydid

Origin
Southeast Asia, mainly Malaysia and Indonesia

Adult size
Up to about 7 cm body length

Temperature & humidity requirements
Temperature: room temperature around 15 °C up to 28 °C
High humidity is required but always with good ventilation 

Feeding source
Strictly herbivorous
Readily accepts a wide variety of leaves such as Hypericum, Ligustrum, bramble, raspberry, oak, sumac, buddleja, arbutus and viburnum
Also feeds on fruits and flower petals, especially from compositae 

Housing requirements
Mesh cages recommended
Keep humidity high but clean regularly to avoid mold
Provide plenty of fresh foliage and branches for climbing and camouflage 

Breeding guidelines
This species shows no cannibalism and can be kept communally as long as individuals are of similar size
Females insert eggs between the epidermal layers of leaves
Best practice is to leave eggs inside the leaves until hatching

Egg incubation guidelines
Eggs incubate for about 4 months 
If removed, place them on a moist substrate such as peat or vermiculite with leaf sprigs on top to minimize mold
Maintain warmth, humidity and ventilation

Life cycle
Eggs hatch after around 4 months
Development to adulthood takes 4 to 6 months
Adults live for at least another 6 months
Total life span is around 1 year