Genus
Species
Stock
CLP
823
Culture status
In culture
Foodplants
Bramble (Rubus spp.)
Hazel (Corylus avellana)
Breeding notes
(by Bruno Kneubuehler)
General Informations
- provenience: Cham Chu NP (Vietnam)
- ID and taxonomic evaluation by Joachim Bresseel (BE)
- F1 CB culture in 2016 by Bruno Kneubuehler (CH)
- further taxonomical informations ➤ Phasmida Species Files
- this is a pure culture, and serious breeders are requested to avoid mixing this culture with similar populations from a different provenience. When spreading this culture to other breeders, then always use the full name with provenience
- this culture has the number CLP (Online Phasma Culture List)
Females
- very big, long-legged species
- body length 25 - 32 cm
- females are greenish-brown
Males
- very big, long-legged phasmids
- body length 18 - 25 cm
- turquoise thorax, reddish-brown abdomen and legs
Nymphs
- freshly hatched nymphs are green with dark reddish-brown, banded legs
- body length 27 mm, 50 mm with outstreched forelegs
- on how to distinguish between male and female nymphs
Eggs
- 5.5 x 3 mm
- light brown
- slightly glossy
Food Plants
- bramble (Rubus spp.)
well accepted by nymphs and adults - hazelnut (Corylus avellana)
well accepted by nymphs and adults
Breeding, Behaviour
- easy to breed
- active mainly during the night
- nymphs and adults often drop to the ground when touched
- a defensive spray has not been observed
- eggs just drop to the ground
- about 10 - 15 eggs per female and week
- incubation (Cup-Incubation-method, on medium damp vermiculite) about 4 - 5 months at 20 - 24 °C
- eggs can be covered by vermiculite (about 5 mm high), which makes it easier for the nymphs to hatch without getting stuck in the eggs shell
- eggs of this species are not prone to get mouldy
- nymphs hatch during the night
- these nymphs are already very big upon hatching, thus a big incubation container is needed
- a humidity of about 65 - 70 % rH seems to be good enough for nymphs and adults
- one can spray them regularly with chlorine-free water, but allow the water to dry up before spraying again
- small nymphs can be kept in a Faunabox (or a similar cage), which shall not be too small
- provide a cage of about 50 x 50 x 90 (cm, L x B x H) for 2 adult couples
- males will be adult after 4 months (at 20 - 24°C), females after 5 months
Basics of phasmids breeding
- keep only one species per cage, overpopulation is one of the main reasons for breeding failures
- keep nymphs seperate from the adults, mainly to protect them during the crucial moulting phases
- choose the cage big enough. When in doubt, too big is (usually) better than too small
- a ventilator often supports good breeding results, as it seems to increase activity and feeding
- provide enough light, but avoid direct sunlight (overheating)
- try to keep day time temperatures below 25°C
- a nocturnal fall of temperature is natural, and thus advantageous
- do not spray too much, phasmids are no fish ! Allow the water to dry up before you spray again
- minimize disturbances (loud music, commotions, light at or during the night, opening up cages in the morning [often a moulting phase] ect.)