Giant Katydid (Stilpnochlora couloniana)

Giant Katydid Stilpnochlora couloniana
Name	Giant Katydid
Name Lat.	Stilpnochlora couloniana
Family	Long-horned Grasshoppers
Family lat.	Tettigoniidae
Order	Grasshoppers
Order lat.	Orthoptera
Origin	North America
Habitat	Forest
Diet	Fresh rose-family leaves
Humidity	70-90 %
Behavior	Nocturnal, peaceful
Keeping	Individual, pair, group
Care Level	Easy
Housing	Humid terrarium
Breeding	Simple
Life Span	12 months
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	7-8 cm
Temperature Day	24-27 °C
Temperature Night	22-24 °C
Housing Size	30 x 30 x 50 cm
US Units
Size	2.8"-3"
Temperature Day	75-81 °F
Temperature Night	72-75 °F
Housing Size	10" x 10" x 20"

Distribution and habitat

The crepuscular to nocturnal Cuban Giant Leafhoppers are distributed from Florida to Cuba and some islands in between. There the well camouflaged animals live in the foliage of bushes and trees.

Maintenance

A terrarium of L 30 x W 30 x H 50 cm is recommended for a pair or a small group. A terrarium with a cover made of gauze or fine metal mesh is best. The terrarium should be placed in a quiet place without sunlight

They need climbing opportunities, such as cork back walls, twigs and branches, which also serve as food plants. In order to keep them fresh for a longer time, they should be served in narrow-necked, well-sealed (danger of drowning), stable containers (e.g. vase). Suitable substrate is terrarium humus or a soil-sand mixture covered with moss, which should always be kept slightly moist. Daily, preferably in the evening, the insectarium should be finely sprayed with water inside (humidity), but a rain or fog system is better. Waterlogging should be avoided at all costs. Good ventilation is especially important.

Daytime temp: 24-27 °C

Temp. night: 22-24 °C

Humidity: 70-90

Although the animals are nocturnal, a light source that also produces the necessary heat is ideal. The lighting duration should be 8-12 hours, depending on the season

Diet

The food supply consists of fresh leaves of blackberry, honeysuckle (Lonicera nitida), laburnum, elderberry and ivy (Hedera helix), as well as leaves of ferns. Leaves of other roses and rose plants, such as red and hawthorn, raspberry, currant, wild rose, etc., as well as the leaves of beech, oak, linden, hazel, eucalyptus or sweet chestnut are also accepted differently by individuals. Blackberries are ideal as food in winter, as they remain green. Spraying the forage plants allows the animals to satisfy their drinking needs. Additionally, a wick waterer is recommended. Eaten branches, dried and rotten leaves must be removed regularly

A varied diet promotes the well-being of the animals.

Reproduction and breeding

The females have a laying tube about 5 mm long and are somewhat larger and bulkier than the somewhat slimmer males. Both sexes have leaf-like wings that extend far beyond the body.

About 3-4 weeks after mating, females attach their eggs (20-50 of them) to feeding branches or leaf edges. The young hatch after about 4-6 weeks, they are blue-green and have long legs and antennae. Freshly sprouted blackberry leaves are good as initial food.

After the last moult (imaginal moult) the animals live up to 12 months

Important

The Cuban Giant Leafhopper is very similar to a green leaf by coloration and body structure (leaf mimesis) and is well camouflaged from predators. Adults can fly very well and larvae can jump very well.

Before purchasing, a terrarium should be prepared that meets the species specific needs. Good ventilation without drafts is necessary, as well as equipment for measuring temperature and humidity. The lighting has to correspond to the species-specific day-night rhythm and should be placed in such a way that the animals cannot injure themselves

The terrarium should be locked in such a way that neither unauthorized persons can open it nor the animals can escape. Special attention must be paid to thorough hygiene and impurities must be removed regularly

Further literature can be found in your pet store

References

Text: petdata; Image: Franz Lowak

Source: SEILER, BRADLER, KOCH (2000): Ratgeber Phasmiden, Verlag Bede; ENGELMANN & LANGE (2011): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Wirbellose, Harri Deutsch Verlag