Philippine stick insect (Anarchodes annulipes)

Short answers

Philippine stick insect: How big does the enclosure need to be?

30×30×40 cm (a small group).

Philippine stick insect: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 22–28 °C, at night ~20 °C.

Philippine stick insect: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: No UVB needed.

Philippine stick insect: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 6 months as an adult.

Philippine stick insect: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

22–28 °C

Night temperature

~20 °C

Basking spot

—

Humidity

60–80 %

UVB

No UVB needed

Enclosure

Minimum size

30×30×40 cm (a small group)

Substrate

Slightly damp coco humus plus a layer of leaf litter (oak, for example), at least 10 cm; cork tubes as hides

Feeding

Food

Leaves: privet (which gives it its name, and readily taken), bramble, oak, ivy; also windfall fruit

Feeding interval

fresh leaves at all times; mist daily

Key facts

Adult size

females ~8–8.5 cm, males ~5–6 cm

Life expectancy

approx. 6 months as an adult

Origin

Malaiische Halbinsel, Singapur, Thailand, Sumatra (Strauchvegetation)

Protection status

Not protected (not listed under CITES or German nature conservation law); commonly available captive-bred

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Group: a peaceful species, several animals of different ages tolerate each other well in a group. Reproduction is parthenogenetic or bisexual, so a male is not strictly required.

Notes

Uncertain in taxonomy and origin: formerly Necroscia annulipes; the trade name is "privet stick insect". The sources contradict each other on its origin (Philippines versus Malaysia) – the climate and size figures follow keeper reports conservatively. A delicate, partly winged species; nocturnal.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Annam stick insect (Ramulus artemis) – Beginner
• Giant prickly stick insect (Extatosoma tiaratum) – Beginner
• Brueckner's stick insect (Trachyaretaon brueckneri) – Beginner
• Ceylon leaf insect (Phyllium bioculatum) – Intermediate
• Chan's megastick (Phobaeticus chani) – Expert
• Giant spiny stick insect (Aretaon asperrimus) – Beginner
• Giant spiny stick insect (Eurycantha calcarata) – Beginner
• Jungle nymph (Heteropteryx dilatata) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Philippine stick insect (Anarchodes annulipes) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (30×30×40 cm (a small group)), substrate (Slightly damp coco humus plus a layer of leaf litter (oak, for example), at least 10 cm; cork tubes as hides), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.