Keeping Stick Insects - How to care for Stick Insects

Welcome to the stick insect section.

Introduction to Stick Insects

Stick insects are amongst the easiest of exotic insects to keep and breed at home. They are mostly from tropical or sub tropical regions of the world such as India, South America, Africa, Australia and similar warm areas including Europe.

They are commonly called stick insects as many of them resemble small twigs and branches which is their camouflage against being eaten. Not all of them resemble sticks however, some of them resemble leaves, flowers, moss and so on, it depends on what their natural environment is like. Left: Philippine Stick Insect

There are around 3000 different type of stick insect, actually they are part of an insect group called Phasmida which is derived from the Latin for phantom (phasma), this is because they are very difficult to find in their environment and that they shed their external skeleton (exoskeleton) usually in one piece resulting in a 'phantom' stick insect. Most stick insects shed their exoskeletons around 6 times during their life time and each one is shed because they have grown too large for their existing one. Each period of growth between moulting is know as an instar, the first instar period begins on the hatching from the egg case. When buying stick insects this can be used to give an indication of age and life expectancy. Typically nymphs are sold at their third or fourth instar stage.

The most commonly kept stick insect in the UK is without doubt the Indian Stick Insect (Carausius morosus) which is grows to a length of around 4 inches and is a buff/green colour and very easy to care for.

Some of the more exotic species such as the Malaysian Jungle Nymph (Heteroptryx dilatata) is a huge insect of up to 8 or 9 inches in length and one of the heaviest of all insects. The female of this particular species is also bright green in colour and has small darker green spines over the body. Left top: Malaysian Jungle Nymph (young) Heteroptryx dilatata Left: Malaysian Jungle nymph adult male - note the extremely spiny rear legs, these are it's defence mechanism and can inflict a painful stab! Another large stick insect is the Giant Prickly Stick Insect of Australia, this one measures up to 7 inches in length and is a golden tan coloured heavy insect which looks great in a vivarium.

Most of the species are capable of living between 1 and 2 years and during this time they will breed quite readily producing hundreds of eggs which can take up to 12 months to hatch. Interestingly the females are able to lay viable eggs without the need for fertilisation, this is known as parthenogenesis and in some of the species it is though that the entire population is female! Right: Sabah Spiny Stick Insect

Housing Stick Insects

Stick insects like a little space to move around in and an ideal home would be an inexpensive aquarium or vivarium which as a mesh lid instead of the usual plastic or glass one. This will allow plenty of fresh air in to the tank which is required if keeping stick insects. Special insect cages can also be purchased and these are mesh on all 4 sides and the top.

The base of the tank can be fitted with either plain paper or a mixture of soil and peat, this must be cleaned out every couple of weeks to prevent the build up of waste. Some resting places for your stick insects will also be required such as nicely shaped branches and even a few potted plants, these can be artificial ones if you prefer so that they aren't eaten. Not only will these additions to the tank provide somewhere for your insects to rest but will make the whole tank look much more like a small ecosystem.

You should be able to keep 6 adults in a tank of 18 inches long x 12 inches deep x 15 inches high, if you try to keep too many in a tank then they will have too much contact and some may become damaged as a result.

Temperature & Lighting

Most of the stick insects come from temperate areas of the world and need a temperature of between 65°F at night and 80°F during the day, this can easily be achieved using under tank heating mats commonly used by aquarists. A thermostat should be kept inside the tank to ensure that the temperature doesn't get too warm or cold.

Common Indian stick insects can usually be kept quite easy in a warm living room without any heating during the summer months provided the temperature doesn't drop much below 65°F. Almost all of the insects will appreciate a slight drop in temperature at night, this depends on the particular species - the more tropical the less fluctuation as near the equator the temperature remains fairly constant throughout the year.

The humidity requirements for stick insects are fairly easy to achieve and misting the plants and or substrate daily will give the desired result, don't over do it though and get things too wet as fungus, bacteria and moulds may begin to grow and affect your insects.

Feeding Stick Insects

Most stick insects are easily fed on common bramble (blackberry) but their diet should include a mixture of plants to give additional minerals and salts which would be deficient in a single food source diet. Suitable other foods include Oak leaves, Rose leaves, Privet, Hawthorne and Ivy leaves. 

All of the plants that you feed your insects should be free of pesticides as these may kill your pets. It is a good idea to grow some of the food plants yourself in pots which can be placed in to the tank and removed once they have been eaten. 

If you decide to gather your plant material from the countryside make sure you have permission if it's needed and don't gather plants from near roads as they will most likely bee contaminated by lead from car exhausts. If you do gather plants then you should take small leafy branches which should be placed in to a container of water such as a milk bottle and the neck should be packed with cotton wool to prevent any insects from getting in. Once the leaves have been eaten or died they should be replaced.