Phyllium letiranti "Tataba" is a striking, relatively large leaf insect species native to the area surrounding Tataba, a village on Pulau Peleng in Indonesia. This species is notable for the wide range of vivid colours exhibited by females, including greens, yellows, and browns, making it a popular choice among enthusiasts.
Appearance
The appearance of Phyllium letiranti "Tataba" varies significantly depending on the insect’s sex and developmental stage.
Nymphs: Newly hatched nymphs are dark brown with light greenish and yellow highlights, measuring ~14-16 mm in length and ~7-8 mm in width. They strongly resemble large ants in appearance. After several weeks of feeding, the nymphs begin to develop the diverse colour patterns characteristic of this leaf insect species.
A group of young L1 nymphs showing the transition from a darker colour to green as they develop
A beautiful yellow colouration on this adult female
Females: Adult females of Phyllium letiranti "Tataba" have flattened, irregular bodies with round abdomens. They feature enlarged forelegs and exhibit highly variable colorations including green, brown, yellow, and orange. These colours can coexist, creating stunning speckled patterns. Females are relatively large, ranging from ~85-95 mm in length. They have large, broad, non-functional forewings that cover almost the entire abdomen. Two short antennae, each measuring about 5 mm in length, complete their appearance.
Males: Adult males of Phyllium letiranti "Tataba", though smaller than females, still reach considerable sizes of ~70mm in length. Predominantly green with brown highlights on their legs and body edges, these males possess fully developed wings enabling flight. Their antennae are notably longer than those of females, measuring ~50 mm in length.
Two adult males; note the exceptionally long antennae on the individual to the left
I’ve noticed quite a noticeable size variation in Phyllium letiranti "Tataba", depending on where the culture has been bred. This seems to come down to the breeder as well as how successful the moults have been throughout development. Some individuals grow significantly larger, while others can end up almost 30% smaller - even though they’re all the same species.
Two older nymphs (L4 stage): the female is on the left, and the male on the right, identifiable by his more pointed abdomen
Lifespan
Females live for ~8-12 months.
Males live for ~6-8 months and mature faster than females.
Behaviour
Phyllium letiranti "Tataba", like most other leaf insect species, are docile by nature and typically remain motionless. However, this species of leaf insect isn’t quite as friendly as others such as Phyllium philippinicum. Adult females, in particular, have a tendency to grip your finger with their back legs when handled - it doesn’t hurt, but it can definitely be surprising as they attempt to squeeze free. If touched while on the ground, they’ll often squirm and twist in an effort to escape. Adult males aren’t much calmer either; they can be pretty skittish and often try to launch themselves away the moment they're picked up.
Handling of a yellow adult female
A group of adult females after being provided with fresh bramble
In my experience, as adults, Phyllium letiranti "Tataba" tend to spend their days away from the food plant—often hanging out on the roof or sides of the enclosure, and occasionally even resting on the floor. Then, once night falls, they make their way to the food plant to feed.
I have to say, the nymphs of Phyllium letiranti "Tataba" are especially lively little things and absolutely love to dash about for several weeks until they start feeding and mature.
Diet
Phyllium letiranti "Tataba" primarily feed on bramble, raspberry, salal, guava, and mango species. When selecting food plants, ensure they are free from insecticides or other harmful chemicals. It is also worth noting that Phyllium prefer older, darker-coloured leaves over fresh growth, especially when it comes to bramble. This preference is particularly important for nymphs, as new growths can be poisonous.
Before offering food to your Phyllium, it's advisable to wash the cuttings with water.
A group of nymphs on bramble - this is the staple food plant I feed my Phyllium letiranti "Tataba"
Young nymphs face a unique challenge when it comes to feeding. Unlike their adult counterparts, they struggle to eat from undamaged leaves, which can be a significant cause of mortality in captive-bred populations. To assist them, carefully cut the edges of leaves using scissors. This simple step can greatly improve nymph survival rates.
To maximise plant longevity and minimise maintenance, consider keeping the food plant in a pot of water within the enclosure. However, take care to cover or reduce the size of the pot's opening to prevent the Phyllium from accidentally falling in and drowning.
Always provide a fresh source of food. On average, clean out the enclosure once a week, replacing old food with fresh offerings and adding new substrate to remove waste. This weekly maintenance is also an ideal time to collect any eggs that have been laid.
An ideal water container, featuring a small opening that prevents nymphs from falling in
Environmental conditions
Phyllium letiranti "Tataba" is another leaf insect species that is relatively easy to accommodate and rear in terms of its environmental requirements.
Temperature: Maintain daytime temperatures between 22°C and 26°C, allowing them to cool to 18°C - 20°C at night. Room temperatures are sufficient for this species.
Humidity: Humidity plays a vital role in the care of leaf insects. Aim for high humidity levels of ~65-75%. To achieve this, spray the enclosure once or twice daily, focusing on the food plant. Proper moisture is essential for successful moulting, a process by which the Phyllium grows and develops. When misting, use non-chlorinated water to avoid potential harm. To maintain a high humidity consider using paper towel or coir (coconut fibre) as a substrate.
Lighting: Mimic natural day/night cycles using either natural or artificial lighting.
Housing
Provide an enclosure at least three times the insect's length in height and twice in width. Because of their larger size, a minimum of 30 × 30 × 45 cm (W × L × H) is recommended for adults. The more height available, the better, as it allows room for successful moulting.
For young nymphs, I recommend a smaller enclosure setup, especially when keeping larger numbers. While free-standing setups are common for leaf insects, Phyllium letiranti "Tataba" nymphs are particularly active and often dash down the stem, into the water pot, or launch themselves to the floor. I found myself frequently rescuing and repositioning them on the food plant, which quickly became a hassle. Instead, I use a 30 × 30 × 30 cm cube net cage, making sure the food plant touches all the sides. This keeps the nymphs contained but still allows them to explore and easily find their way back to feed.
Netted enclosure perfect for adults: 40cm*40cm*60cm, W*L*H enclosure
Two yellow sub-adult females
Whether using a small or large enclosure, it’s crucial that nymphs can navigate back to their food source.
Ventilation is equally important as humidity. Use a mesh or netted roof at minimum to ensure airflow. Netted surfaces also provide a solid grip, which helps the insects hang securely during moults.
Breeding, incubation, and hatching
Both males and females are common in Phyllium letiranti "Tataba" populations, enabling sexual reproduction. After their final moult to adulthood, males and females begin mating within 2-3 weeks, with females laying fertilised eggs shortly after.
Females typically lay 1-2 eggs per day over a period of about three months, dropping them to the enclosure floor with a whip-like movement of their abdomen. The eggs of Phyllium letiranti "Tataba" measure ~5.5mm in length and ~1.8mm in width and are light brown or tan with small pits. After exposure to humidity, they develop unique fringes that look like tiny strands and turn light straw-brown in colour.
Eggs being incubated using the vermiculite and bottle cap method
Adult male having a piggy back ride on an adult female!
Incubation usually takes 4-5 months but can extend to 7-8 months depending on conditions. Eggs should be maintained on moist substrate such as paper towel or coconut fibre at 20°C-25°C, ensuring daily light exposure and monitoring for mould.
I’ve had no issues incubating Phyllium letiranti "Tataba" eggs on vermiculite, with a light misting of non-chlorinated water every couple of days. This method seems to work well, mould is rare, and if it does appear, I either remove the affected egg or place it outside the container in a drier environment for a day or two, which usually clears it up. Overall, they’re a very easy species to incubate. When freshly laid, the eggs can vary quite a bit in colour, ranging from deep browns and beiges to almost yellow. Over time, and with consistent humidity, most tend to settle into a light beige. You’ll also notice the development of small frills or hair-like protrusions in humid conditions, though these are less prominent than those seen in Phyllium philippinicum.
Another picture of a male hitching a ride
In the absence of males, female Phyllium letiranti "Tataba" can reproduce via parthenogenesis. This process produces unfertilised eggs that hatch into genetic clones of the female.
