Phyllium letiranti "Tataba"

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.