Exotic Pets: Stick Insect

Stick insects belong to Phasmatodean Family. Other insects that also belong to the same family are leaf insects, ghost insects, and walking sticks. There are almost two thousand and eight hundred species inside the Phasmatodean family. The striking feature of this family is that the species have a body structure, which helps them to camouflage with the surroundings. Stick insects belong to areas having tropical climates and some of them have wings. Stick insects that are saved as pets can grow four inches and might live up to one year.

Among all the insects, which are kept as pets, stick insects are probably the most desirable. Some of the favorites are Indian stick insects; Vietnamese thorny stick insects and pink winged flying stick insects. They are desirable as a result of they are low-maintenance and their unique appearance. Their surroundings in captivity should be much like that of their native surrounding. The temperature and humidity should match almost exactly with their original habitat.

Also the food resources provided to them should be close to the foliage available to them in their natural habitat. Blueberries are among the most favorable foods of stick insects. Aside from that, they can be given raspberry, ivy, oak, privet, oak and hawthorn. These insects might be stored in a vivarium or circular jar, which has some holes on the top. The length of the jar should be three times that of the insect and it should be tall in height. The holes shouldnÂ’t be so big that the insect can escape from it. To be further careful, a net will be placed over the holes, to completely stop them from escaping. The vivarium could be filled with ivy, bramble and privet.

The temperature throughout the jar should be maintained around seventy to seventy-five degree Fahrenheit. At night time the temperatures may be lowered to sixties. The humidity inside the vivarium should be moderate. Stick insects are very fragile insects and should be handled with additional care. A lined water container can also be placed and the insect should be allowed to drink from it only under invigilation, as the animal can fall and drown in it.

Stick insects shed skin typically, which they eat. When the insect shed for the sixth time, it indicates that the insect has reached sexual maturity. The entire Indian stick insects are female as they reproduce by parthenogenesis or the eggs are laid and they do not need fertilization by a male. Homeowners that are interested in breeding can spray water on the eggs and wait till they hatch. After eggs are hatched, offspring can be managed with the help of paintbrushes. Generally the tail has some remains of the egg, which can be gently disregarded with the help of the paintbrush. Also, care have to be taken to to not depart swimming pools of water as there can be a probability of bugs drowning in them and dying. And house owners that arenÂ’t excited by breeding ought to completely destroy the eggs by boiling, burning, or crushing them.

These bugs shouldn’t be overlooked within the wild, from captivity. Since they do not belong to the environment, there is a possibility that they will harm the ecosystem by reproducing younger ones. Insects, which dwell in environments other than their natural habitats are referred to as pests. In United States, Indian strolling stick insects are speculated to be plant pest. A particular permit is required to import them.