Thorny Stick Insect (Aretaon asperrimus)

Thorny Stick Insect Aretaon asperrimus
Name	Thorny Stick Insect
Name Lat.	Aretaon asperrimus
Family	Heteropterygids
Family lat.	Heteropterygidae
Order	Phasmids
Order lat.	Phasmatodea
Origin	Borneo
Habitat	Rainforest
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	6 months
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	5-9 cm
Temperature Day	22-25 °C
Temperature Night	18-22 °C
Housing Size	40 x 40 x 60 cm
US Units
Size	2"-3.5"
Temperature Day	72-77 °F
Temperature Night	64-72 °F
Housing Size	15" x 15" x 25"

Distribution and habitat

The crepuscular to nocturnal thorny ghost insects are native to northern Borneo and Labuan Island. There, the wingless animals live on low trees and shrubs of the tropical rainforests.

Maintenance

A terrarium of 40 x 40 x 60 cm (L x W x H) for one animal or a small group is recommended. 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. Once a day, preferably in the evening, the insectarium should be finely sprayed with water inside (humidity), but a rain or mist system is better. Waterlogging should be avoided at all costs. Good ventilation is especially important

Temp. day: 22-25 °C

Temp. night: 18-22 °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 regular and varied diet promotes the well-being of the animals.

Reproduction and breeding

Both sexes are variably colored in different shades of brown and have many spines. The  smaller males show bright yellowish stripes on the back. The females have a clearly recognizable laying apparatus

The females pierce the eggs individually into the substrate with their ovipositor. The incubation period is several months at about 20-25 °C. The newly hatched juveniles have many more spines than adults for protection from predators. After the last moult (imaginal moult) the animals live for about 6 months

Important

The spiny ghost insects have produced very light to light beige color varieties in addition to the various brown colored ones.

Before purchasing, a terrarium should be prepared that meets the species-specific needs. Necessary are good ventilation without drafts and 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