Pseudophasma quitense "Rio Topo"

(by Bruno Kneubuehler)

General Notes

• 2008 - first successful culture of this species in Europe by Bruno Kneubühler

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Origin

• Rio Topo (Tunguragua, Ecuador)

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Female

• about 5,8 cm
• they are good flyers !

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Male

• about 4,3 cm
• they are very good flyers  - so watch your open windows when changing their food plants

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Eggs

• grey or brown
• strongly granulated

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Food Plants

• nymphs as well as adults feed nicely on ivy (Hedera helix)

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Breeding Notes

• an easy to breed species
• incubation of the eggs on damp (not too wet) sand, with springtails to reduce mould growth
• incubation time at room temperatures (20-23°C) is about 4 months
• hatching ratio of my first generation was about 80%
• keep the nymphs in a cage with good ventilation and still high humidity
• nymphs and adults can be kept in a Faunabox (or similar cage)
• a constantly wet paper towel on the cage helps raising humidity
• I have never sprayed nymphs or adults with water
• male will be adult after about 3 months, females after about 4 months
• females start to lay eggs after about 2 weeks
• eggs are just dropped to the ground