Australian Leaf Insect - Walaphyllium monteithi

Australian Leaf Insects are Australia’s only TRUE leaf insects.

They are found in tropical north Queensland and can grow up to 8cm in length. 
The females grow much wider than the males and although both sexes boast full-length wings, only the males are capable of flight.

Like many phasmid species, the Australian leaf insect is also parthenogenic, meaning that a single female is able to reproduce clones of herself without the help of a male!
They grow by shedding (moulting) their exoskeleton. In order to moult successfully, the insect needs to hang uninterrupted beneath a leaf or branch.

Their preferred food is Bush Cherry (also known as lilly pilly) which should be offered to the leaf insects as fresh leaves once or twice a week. These branches should be placed into a jar of water to ensure they remain fresh for as long as possible. They will also eat several other plant species including Guava (Psidium spp.) and some Eucalyptus species, however most captive Phyllium are raised on lilly pilly.

They are very low maintenance pets, requiring an enclosure of a minimum 30x30x45cm for 2 insects, ideally kept between 22-28C. It is important that they are misted daily to ensure humidity levels are sustained.