Black Beauty Stick Insect (Peruphasma schultei)

Description

Females (2.2 inches) are larger than males (1.49-1.7 inches). They have a unique appearance: a black body, golden eyes, and reddish-brown mouthparts. Adults have bright red wings; however, they are vestigial and cannot help in flight.

Other Common Names: Golden-Eyed Stick Insect

Distribution: Cordillera del Condor region of northern Peru

Habitat: Grasslands, pasturelands, some forests, mountains, and volcanoes

Do they bite: No

Lifespan: Around a year

Predator: Birds, reptiles, rodents

Behavior and Characteristics

Feeding

The diet of a black beauty stick insect in the wild consists of various species of pepper trees.

Defensive

When approached, the adults spray a defensive liquid from glands behind their heads which acts as an irritant to the eyes and skin.

Life Cycle

This species reaches sexual maturity at 4-5 months. Both sexual and asexual reproduction has been observed, the latter occurring via parthenogenesis.

1. Egg Stage

Females lay about 0.16-inch-long pale brown eggs with black mottling. The eggs incubate for 2-5 months.

2. Nymph Stage

The nymphs resemble adults, except they lack wings. They are nimble at this stage.

Pet Care Sheet

They are easy to handle and do not require much maintenance.

Enclosure: This should be three times the insect’s size.

Temperature: Room Temperature

Humidity: Misting is not required.

Feeding: Honeysuckle, privet, spotted laurel

Substrate: Damp tissue or vermiculite