Giant Thorny Stick Insect (Trachyaretaon brueckneri)

Giant Thorny Stick Insect Trachyaretaon brueckneri
Name	Giant Thorny Stick Insect
Name Lat.	Trachyaretaon brueckneri
Family	Heteropterygids
Family lat.	Heteropterygidae
Order	Phasmids
Order lat.	Phasmatodea
Origin	Philippines, Calayan
Habitat	Rainforest
Diet	Fresh rose-family leaves
Humidity	60-80 %
Behavior	Peaceful, nocturnal
Keeping	Individual, pair, group
Care Level	Easy
Housing	Semi-humid terrarium
Breeding	Simple
Life Span	6-12 months
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	7-11 cm
Temperature Day	20-25 °C
Temperature Night	18-20 °C
Housing Size	40 x 40 x 60 cm
US Units
Size	2.8"-4.3"
Temperature Day	68-77 °F
Temperature Night	64-68 °F
Housing Size	15" x 15" x 25"

Distribution and habitat

The crepuscular to nocturnal giant thorn insects are native to the small Philippine island of Calayan. There, the wingless animals live on bushes and shrubs of the tropical rainforests.

Maintenance

A terrarium of 40 x 40 x 60 cm (L x W x H) 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. Every 1-2 days, preferably in the evening, the insectarium should be finely sprayed with water inside (humidity), but a rain or mist system is better. Too high humidity and waterlogging should be avoided at all costs. Good ventilation is especially important.

Daytime temp.: 20-25 °C

Temp. night: 18-20 °C

Humidity: 60-80

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 regular and varied diet promotes the well-being of the animals.

Reproduction and breeding

The females are larger and stronger than the slimmer males. Both sexes show a light to dark brown coloration. The females may have 1-2 white abdominal segments.

They can reproduce sexually but also asexually (parthenogenesis).

The female lays the eggs, 4-5 mm long, in the substrate (laying spike). The incubation period is about 3-4 months at 20-25 °C. The newly hatched young are very differently colored and spiny. After the last moult (imaginal moult) the animals can live up to one year.

Important

For molting, they hang upside down in the branches or on the lattice cover and slide out of their old shell. Therefore, they need at least a whole body length including legs of free space below them.

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 installed 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