JUNGLE NYMPH PHASMID
HETEROPTERYX DILATATA
CLEAR RESIN ENCAPSULATION

also known a jungle nymph, Malaysian stick insect, Malayan jungle nymph, or Malayan wood nymph, is a large member of the Phasmatodea, commonly kept in captivity. It originates in Malaya and is nocturnal. This insect holds the world record for the largest egg laid by an insect. The eggs are about 1.3 cm in length.

Description

Females reach a length of 25 centimetres , one of the world's heaviest bugs, and the males a length of 10 centimetres . The females of this species are very aggressive and much larger, wider, and brighter-colored than the male. The female is lime green and has short, rounded wings, however their short length doesn't allow them to fly. The males are much smaller and a mottled brown colour. Both sexes have small spikes on their upper bodies, more numerous in the female, who also has very large spines on her hind legs that can snap together as a scissor-like weapon.

Reproduction

Females are born a beige color, which fades as it molts, while the male is a darker brown. This species produces sexually. The female will deposit the dark, circular eggs in moist soil. The eggs take from 12 to 14 months to hatch.

Captivity

They eat bramble, oak, blackberry, raspberry, and ivy, along with other leaves. Their temperature conditions should be between 20 C (68 F) to 30 C (86 F) and should have a high humidity level, provided by spraying the enclosure with water. They live up to two years in captivity. Ventilation is very important, without enough of it Heteroperyx dilatata will get problems with mold and bacteria.

Like all species of stick insect, Heteropteryx dilatata needs an enclosure that is at least 3 times the length of the body in height, and at least 2x the length in width. For an adult female this means at least 45 cm in height and 30 cm in width. Larger is always better and is also necessary if you keep multiple individuals. At the bottom of the enclosure you need to place a layer of moist soil, sand or potting earth. The female lays her eggs in the soil with her ovipositor.