Vietnam Prickly Stick Insect (Neohirasea maerens)
| Vietnam Prickly Stick Insect Neohirasea maerens | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Vietnam Prickly Stick Insect |
| Name Lat. | Neohirasea maerens |
| Family | Lonchodid Stick Insects |
| Family lat. | Lonchodidae |
| Order | Phasmids |
| Order lat. | Phasmatodea |
| Origin | Vietnam |
| Habitat | Forest, shrubs |
| Diet | Fresh rose-family leaves |
| Humidity | 50-70 % |
| Behavior | Peaceful, nocturnal |
| Keeping | Individual, pair, group |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Housing | Semi-humid terrarium |
| Breeding | Simple |
| Life Span | 6-10 months |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 5-7 cm |
| Temperature Day | 22-25 °C |
| Temperature Night | 18-20 °C |
| Housing Size | 30 x 30 x 50 cm |
| US Units | |
| Size | 2"-2.8" |
| Temperature Day | 72-77 °F |
| Temperature Night | 64-68 °F |
| Housing Size | 10" x 10" x 20" |
Distribution and habitat
The crepuscular to nocturnal carpet insects are native to Vietnam. There, the wingless animals live on bushes and shrubs of the tropical forests.
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. 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: 50-70 |
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 reddish to dark brown colored males are much smaller and slimmer than the light brown females. The males have fewer but slightly longer spines than the females.
They can reproduce sexually or asexually by virgin reproduction (parthenogenesis). This produces offspring from unfertilized eggs. The hatching rate is greater in sexual reproduction. Females drop the spherical eggs, about 2 mm in size, on the ground. The incubation period is about 4 months at 20-25 °C. The newly hatched young are about 9 mm long and remain almost motionless during the day. After the last molt (imaginal molt), the animals live for several months
Important
When threatened, the adult carpet scarecrows, but also the nymphs, can excrete a smoky-smelling defensive secretion, which is harmless to humans, but whose odor lasts for a long time. The animals can run relatively fast.
Before buying, a terrarium should be prepared that meets the species-specific needs. Necessary is good ventilation without drafts, as well as equipment for measuring temperature and humidity. The lighting has to correspond to the species-specific day-night rhythm and has to 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