Description
Crowned stick insects are bark mimicking phasmids found in the rainforests of Queensland and the Northern Territory. Adult females achieve a length of approximately 12 – 14 cm and can occur in a range of colour forms from green / white / light and dark brown or a combination of colours (called a ‘lichen’ form). Although they are not active fliers, adult females possess fully developed wings and will sometimes raise these in a threat display if disturbed or agitated. Crowned stick insects are a good beginner stick insect as they are tolerant of a wide range of conditions and they feed on a variety of native plants including (but not limited to) Syzygium (lily pilly), Agonis (weeping myrtle) and Eucalyptus (gum). Females are known to be parthenogenetic. A female crowned stick insect will take 3 – 6 months to reach maturity and will live for between 1 to 3 years as an adult. Males reach maturity in 3 – 6 months and live for a further 3 – 8 months as an adult.
