Halmahera leaf insect (Phyllium tobeloense)

Short answers

Halmahera leaf insect: How big does the enclosure need to be?

30×30×50 cm for a pair (height at least 3× the body length so shedding works).

Halmahera leaf insect: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–28 °C, basking spot no warm spot needed, at night 20–22 °C.

Halmahera leaf insect: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: No UVB needed.

Halmahera leaf insect: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 9–12 months.

Halmahera leaf insect: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–28 °C

Night temperature

20–22 °C

Basking spot

no warm spot needed

Humidity

70–85 %

UVB

No UVB needed

Enclosure

Minimum size

30×30×50 cm for a pair (height at least 3× the body length so shedding works)

Substrate

Coco humus, kept damp; mist daily

Feeding

Food

Bramble (all year), oak, guava, rose, raspberry, salal

Feeding interval

fresh leaves at all times in water bottles; mist once or twice a day

Key facts

Adult size

females ~9–10 cm, males ~6–7 cm

Life expectancy

approx. 9–12 months

Origin

Halmahera and Tobelo (the northern Moluccas, Indonesia)

Protection status

Not protected (not listed under CITES or German nature conservation law); widely available captive-bred in the hobby

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Group: generally suitable for group housing, but more prone to cannibalism than other Phyllium species when food or space runs short - tankmates' leaf-shaped body edges get nibbled. Plenty of fresh leaves and enough space prevent this.

Notes

A little warmer and more humid than P. philippinicum. Sexual reproduction, and genuine males occur regularly. Moulting problems are the commonest cause of losses: too little height or air that is too dry.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Ceylon leaf insect (Phyllium bioculatum) – Intermediate
• Common leaf insect (Phyllium siccifolium) – Intermediate
• Giant leaf insect (Phyllium giganteum) – Intermediate
• Philippine leaf insect (Phyllium philippinicum) – Intermediate
• Annam stick insect (Ramulus artemis) – Beginner
• Giant prickly stick insect (Extatosoma tiaratum) – Beginner
• Brueckner's stick insect (Trachyaretaon brueckneri) – Beginner
• Chan's megastick (Phobaeticus chani) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Halmahera leaf insect (Phyllium tobeloense) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (30×30×50 cm for a pair (height at least 3× the body length so shedding works)), substrate (Coco humus, kept damp; mist daily), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.