Leaf insects are related to stick insects but are even better camouflaged; their bodies, legs and eggs all mimic leaves or seeds.  The mimicry is so good that specimens will often have chunks eaten out of them by other leaf insects. Like all insects they change skin regularly as part of their growth cycle, eventually reaching about 8cm long. 

They eat a range of food plants but we have found Phyllium ‘Philippines’ grows best on normal rose bushes.  Some of the other species require guava, bramble or oak.

Humidity is a key factor for success.  The leaf insects should be kept in a cage that enables the air to circulate but remain humid.  We use Exo-Terra glass cages with tissue on the base to absorb excess water.  The cages are sprayed, on average, twice a day.  The food should be as fresh as possible; the younger nymphs will start to feed on the dead rose leaves even if fresh ones are available and this will lead to their death.

Males, which don’t live as long as the females, are easily distinguished by their thinner, narrower bodies and wings; they also have long antennae.  Females can live many months once they become adults and will drop eggs during most of their adult life.  The eggs are incubated like most stick insects eggs, in a plastic box sprayed lightly every day.  The small brown nymph, that hatches from the egg about 4 to 6 months later, will start to feed on rose leaves after a few days.  If the humidity is not high the losses will be high.  Mortality among nymphs is often high, sometimes 20%.  If it possible to put them in a cage with others that are eating they seem to start to eat more quickly.  Very clean conditions are needed for the nymphs.

While leaf insects are not as easy to keep as the Spiny Stick Insect from Australia they are certainly well worth the effort.