Phryganistria grandis "Cham Chu"

(by Bruno Kneubuehler)

General Informations

• provenience: Cham Chu NP (Vietnam)
• ID and taxonomic evaluation by Joachim Bresseel (BE)
• F1 CB culture in 2016 by Bruno Kneubuehler (CH)
• further taxonomical informations ➤ Phasmida Species Files
• this is a pure culture, and serious breeders are requested to avoid mixing this culture with similar populations from a different provenience. When spreading this culture to other breeders, then always use the full name with provenience
• this culture has the number CLP   (Online Phasma Culture List)

Females

• very big, long-legged species
• body length 25 - 32 cm
• females are greenish-brown

Males

• very big, long-legged phasmids
• body length 18 - 25 cm
• turquoise thorax, reddish-brown abdomen and legs

Nymphs

• freshly hatched nymphs are green with dark reddish-brown, banded legs
• body length 27 mm, 50 mm with outstreched forelegs
• on how to distinguish between male and female nymphs

Eggs

• 5.5 x 3 mm
• light brown
• slightly glossy

Food Plants

• bramble (Rubus spp.)
  well accepted by nymphs and adults
• hazelnut (Corylus avellana)
  well accepted by nymphs and adults

Breeding, Behaviour

• easy to breed
• active mainly during the night
• nymphs and adults often drop to the ground when touched
• a defensive spray has not been observed
• eggs just drop to the ground
• about 10 - 15 eggs per female and week
• incubation (Cup-Incubation-method, on medium damp vermiculite) about 4 - 5 months at 20 - 24 °C
• eggs can be covered by vermiculite (about 5 mm high), which makes it easier for the nymphs to hatch without getting stuck in the eggs shell
• eggs of this species are not prone to get mouldy
• nymphs hatch during the night
• these nymphs are already very big upon hatching, thus a big incubation container is needed
• a humidity of about 65 - 70 % rH seems to be good enough for nymphs and adults
• one can spray them regularly with chlorine-free water, but allow the water to dry up before spraying again
• small nymphs can be kept in a Faunabox (or a similar cage), which shall not be too small
• provide a cage of about 50 x 50 x 90 (cm, L x B x H) for 2 adult couples
• males will be adult after 4 months (at 20 - 24°C), females after 5 months

Basics of phasmids breeding

• keep only one species per cage, overpopulation is one of the main reasons for breeding failures
• keep nymphs seperate from the adults, mainly to protect them during the crucial moulting phases
• choose the cage big enough. When in doubt, too big is (usually) better than too small
• a ventilator often supports good breeding results, as it seems to increase activity and feeding
• provide enough light, but avoid direct sunlight (overheating)
• try to keep day time temperatures below 25°C
• a nocturnal fall of temperature is natural, and thus advantageous
• do not spray too much, phasmids are no fish ! Allow the water to dry up before you spray again
• minimize disturbances (loud music, commotions, light at or during the night, opening up cages in the morning [often a moulting phase] ect.)