Pseudophasma esmeraldas "Durango"

(by Bruno Kneubuehler)

General Informations

• 2008 - first successful culture of this species by Bruno Kneubühler

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Origin

• Durango (Esmeralds, Ecuador)

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Female

• about 7 cm
• the membranous part of the hind wings (anal area) is bright orange in colour and visible when they fly
• they can fly easily

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Males

• about 5,5 cm
• the membranous part of the hind wings (anal area) is bright orange in colour too and visible when they fly
• they are good flyers - so watch open windows when changing food plants

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Eggs

• about 2x 1,5 mm
• grey or brown

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Food Plants

• nymphs feed nicely on Privet (Ligustrum sp.) and Lonicera nitida (a common ground covering plants in gardens, winter green)
• adults like Privet (Ligustrum sp.) and they adore Plaintains (Plantago sp.)

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Breeding Notes

• an easy to breed species
• incubation of the eggs on damp (not too wet) sand, with springtails to reduce mould growth
• incubation time at room temperatures (20-23°C) is about 4 months
• hatching ratio of my first and second generation was about 80%
• nymphs and adults can be kept in a Faunabox (or similar cage)
• keep this species in a cage with good ventilation and still high humidity
• a constantly wet paper towel on the cage helps raising humidity
• I have never sprayed nymphs or adults with water
• neither nymphs nor adults can climb  or hold on to smooth surfaces (glass, plastic, even leaves)
• therefore it is nesessary that at least one side and the ceiling of the cage is covered with fly-netting (best to use fly-netting made from plastic). Such fly-netting can be attached to the cage easily with hot glue. And it will allow the insects to climb and have a good grip, which will especially be important during moulting
• male will be adult after about 3 months, females after about 4 months
• females start to lay eggs after about 2 weeks
• eggs are just dropped to the ground