Philippine Leaf Insect
Phyllium philippinicum
The Philippine leaf insect is a leaf-mimicking insect from Luzon, described in 2009. Phyllium philippinicum belongs to the leaf insects, a family in the stick insect order, and before 2009 Philippine stock was often called Phyllium siccifolium, a species now known only from the Moluccas. Adult females are about 8 cm long, broad, green and flightless; males are about 5.5 cm, slim and long-antennaed, and fly through the canopy looking for females. Its eggs look like plant seeds. Other Phyllium species have been described from Mindoro, Mindanao and Palawan, so a leaf insect seen there may be a different species.
It is a common lab and hobby culture, fed bramble, raspberry, oak, rose or guava leaves at about 20 to 22 degrees C with daily misting. Because it eats plants, it falls under USDA plant pest rules in the United States: importing one or moving it between states needs a PPQ 526 permit (7 CFR 330.200), and the receiver applies for it. A US research colony shipped from New Orleans to Montana was kept under such a permit. Florida admits non-native leaf and stick insects only to museums, zoos and similar institutions. Never release one outdoors.
Colors: Brown, Green
