Pseudodiacantha macklottii "Java"

(by Bruno Kneubuehler)

General Informations

• provenience: Java
• first culture has been imported by a zoo in London in 1946
• the exact origin of this old culture is not known
• 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 34  (Online Phasma Culture List)

Females

• sturdy, medium-sized, long-legged
• body length ≈ 6.5 - 7.5 cm
• bark-like, contrasty coloration

Males

• slender, long-legged
• body length ≈ 5 cm
• coloration similar to females, but less contrasty

Nymphs

• freshly hatched nymphs are mottled brown
• on how to distinguish between male and female nymphs

Eggs

• ≈ 5 x 3 mm
• brown
• some females lay distinctly smaller eggs, such small eggs must be elimitated from the breeding process (see photo right)

Food Plants

• hazelnut (Corylus avellana)
  well accepted by nymphs and adults
• Rhododendron (different species))
  well accepted by nymphs and adults
• bramble (Rubus spp.)
  accepted only very reluctantly

Breeding, Behaviour

• very easy to breed
• active mainly during the night
• nymphs and especially adults can be very frantically when being touched
• adults can flash their red-black wings when feeling threatened - females more often than males
• they relase a very distinctiv yet pleasant odor when feeling threatend
• females stick their eggs into a substratum. In nature this might be moss layers or soil, in captivity they accept sand or filter wool (which is used in fishkeeping)
• about 5 eggs per female and week
• incubation (Cup-Incubation-method, on medium damp vermiculite) about 5 - 6 months at 20 - 24 °C
• it is quite common that some nymphs will hatch weeks or even months after the first nymphs - from the very same batch of eggs
• eggs can be covered with vermiculite (about 10 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
• a humidity of about 70 - 85 % 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 30 x 30 x 30 (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