Pulchriphyllium giganteum 'Tapah Hills', commonly known as the Giant Malaysian leaf insect, is a fascinating species native to the West Malaysian tropics. As one of the largest known leaf insects, reaching up to ~110mm in length, it's a popular choice among entomologists and insect enthusiasts alike. Personally, this is one of my favourite leaf insect species — they are truly beautiful.
Appearance
The appearance of Pulchriphyllium giganteum "Tapah Hills" varies significantly depending on the insect's sex and developmental stage.
Nymphs: Newly hatched nymphs are brown or reddish in colour, measuring ~18-21mm in length and ~8-9mm in width. Their appearance very much resembles that of a large ant. Within several weeks of feeding, they transition to the leaf insect's characteristic green colouration.
L2 nymph
Two 'gold morph' adult females - I find this colouration stunning
Females: Female Pulchriphyllium giganteum "Tapah Hills" are primarily green with varying levels of brown spots and patterns. Their green coloration can range from light to dark, with some individuals displaying a yellow or golden hue (often referred to as 'gold morphs'). I have experienced gold morphs throughout my generations, and they are a joy when I see this colour emerge — I can't pinpoint how to get this colouration, but some believe it is due to extended periods of bright light. They possess a flattened, irregular body shape that as you would expect perfectly mimics leaves, complete with wide appendages on their legs resembling leaf edges. Adult females can reach impressive sizes of ~105-110mm in length. A key identifier of adult females is the presence of small, non-functional wings. They also have two short antennae, each measuring ~5mm in length.
The adult female is shown with her offspring, a clone of herself, on the right side
Males: One of the most intriguing aspects of this species is the rarity of males. In fact, males were not discovered until 1994, and the vast majority of Pulchriphyllium giganteum "Tapah Hills" bred in captivity are exclusively female. Several experienced breeders have attempted to maintain males within their Pulchriphyllium giganteum "Tapah Hills" populations with varying, but mostly limited, success. Males are much slimmer than females, possess long antennae, have long translucent green flight wings, brown legs, and measure ~70-80mm in length.
Lifespan
Females live for ~11-14 months.
This is longer than the lifespan of most other leaf insect species. Additionally, since there are no males in captivity, there’s no need to manage or synchronize the timing of male and female maturation.
Behaviour
Pulchriphyllium giganteum "Tapah Hills" are very docile insects, making them an excellent species for observation and gentle handling. They tend to remain motionless during daylight hours, reserving their activity for night-time when they become active, moving about and feeding.
That said, newly moulted individuals tend to be more active and like to scamper away if handling is attempted. Furthermore, newly hatched nymphs can exhibit hyperactive behaviour. This initial burst of activity gradually settles as they acclimate to their environment and begin to adopt the more sedate behaviour characteristic of the species.
Group of individuals - this species is very easy to handle
Diet
Pulchriphyllium giganteum "Tapah Hills" primarily feed on bramble, oak, guava, and rose species. When selecting food plants, ensure they are free from insecticides or other harmful chemicals. It is also worth noting that Pulchriphyllium 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 Pulchriphyllium, it's advisable to wash the cuttings with water.
A group of older individuals feeding on bramble
A nymph feeding on bramble, the staple food plant I provide
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 Pulchriphyllium giganteum "Tapah Hills" populations. To assist them, carefully cut the edges of leaves using scissors. This simple step can greatly improve nymph survival rates. Another tip to encourage feeding is to gently blow on the nymphs and surrounding leaves (either doing this yourself or with a small fan). This gentle disturbance can sometimes stimulate them into action.
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 Pulchriphyllium 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.
Environmental conditions
In comparison to other Phyllium species, such as Phyllium philippinicum, Pulchriphyllium giganteum "Tapah Hills" are more sensitive when it comes to their environmental conditions.
Temperature: Maintain daytime temperatures between 24°C and 30°C, allowing them to cool to 20°C - 22°C at night. This temperature gradient mimics their natural habitat and supports proper development.
An L3 Pulchriphyllium giganteum "Tapah Hills" nymph hanging upside down while undergoing the moulting process
The same nymph after completing the moult. This requires a high humidity to be successful!
Humidity: Humidity plays a vital role in the care of leaf insects. Aim for high humidity levels of ~75–90%. 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 Pulchriphyllium giganteum "Tapah Hills" grows and develops. I have found this species particularly reliant on high humidity for successful moulting—without it, they may struggle to shed their old exoskeletons properly, leading to deformities or death.
When misting, I recommend using non-chlorinated water, as the insects may drink from water droplets on the leaves or enclosure walls. Chlorinated water can harm them by irritating their delicate exoskeleton or internal tissues. To obtain non-chlorinated water, simply let tap water sit uncovered for 2–3 days, which allows the chlorine to naturally evaporate.
I also use a paper towel substrate/bottom to the enclosure which absorbs and retains moisture helping to keep that humidity high.
Lighting: Mimic natural day/night cycles using either natural or artificial lighting.
Housing
Given their substantial size, Pulchriphyllium giganteum "Tapah Hills" unsurprisingly require a spacious enclosure to thrive. For adults, the general rule of thumb is to provide an enclosure at least three times the insect's length in height and twice its length in width. A minimum size of 30cm x 30cm x 45cm (width x length x height) is recommended for this species.
For young nymphs, two enclosure setups are advisable: either a large enough space where the food plant doesn't touch the enclosure walls, preventing nymphs from wandering off, or a smaller enclosure allowing nymphs to easily return to their food plant. In either case, it is crucial nymphs can find their way back to feed. I have had great success raising young nymphs through to adulthood in an Exo Terra-style glass enclosure — this keeps the humidity high, ensuring successful moults. Keeping this species’ nymphs in a netted enclosure will be a lot less successful. When adults, they can be transferred to a netted enclosure.
Adults in a 45cm*45cm*60cm, W*L*H enclosure
Group of adult females. A mixture of green and 'gold morph' individuals
Proper ventilation is equally important as maintaining high humidity. Ensure ample airflow to prevent stagnant conditions. At a minimum, a mesh or netted roof is recommended. Netted material also provides easier grip for the insects, which is especially beneficial during moulting when they often hang from the ceiling.
Breeding, incubation, and hatching
As mentioned earlier, males are an extreme rarity. Consequently, females reproduce asexually through a process called parthenogenesis, essentially producing genetic clones of themselves.
Adult females begin producing unfertilised eggs approximately 1 to 1.5 months after their final moult. The eggs are beige, brown, or black in colour, glossy, and resemble seeds. Measuring ~9mm in length and ~3.9mm in width, they are easily distinguishable from frass. A female typically lays one egg per day over a period of about three months, dropping them to the floor of the enclosure with a whip-like movement of her abdomen.
Freshly laid eggs. This species eggs are particularly large compared to other phasmids
An adult female, gravid and ready to lay eggs
Incubation of Pulchriphyllium giganteum "Tapah Hills" eggs requires patience. The eggs can take anywhere from 5.5 to 14 months to hatch, depending on environmental conditions. The most common incubation period is 6 to 9 months. During this time, keep the eggs on moist paper towel or coconut fibre at temperatures between 24°C and 30°C. It's crucial to expose the eggs to daily light cycles and regularly monitor them for mould growth to ensure optimal hatching conditions.
Eggs being incubated using the vermiculite and bottle cap method
If you notice mould on an egg, carefully remove it from the container. You can attempt to gently wipe off the mould using a clean paper towel or soft brush. However, if the mould growth is extensive, it's best to discard the egg to protect the health of the others. If mould has developed, thoroughly clean the container housing the eggs. Pay particular attention to the substrate, especially if using paper towels. Vermiculite or coconut fibre substrates are less prone to mould growth.
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