Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

neep_neep · Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 9:18 pm Post subject: Leaf Insect ID?

Hello invertebrate lovers Smile

I have acquired a group of 6 leaf insects, but I was wondering whether anybody can help ID the exact species?

They are currently only 1.5cm in length, so I cannot ID them by adult size! My book which has a section on leaf insects only gives adult photos, and my search for nymph photo ID online has been fruitless.

So here we go - bear in mind that they are only 1.5 - 2cm long at the moment!

Any help would be most appreciated! Thanks! Very Happy

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Sophie

keiron · Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 12:07 am Post subject:

well i can tell you they're not celebicum, giganteum, or bioculatum. they look more like siccifolium nymphs but there is another 'species' that i used to keep that was simply referred to as phyllium sp. "phillipines" and having kept both i can assure you they look almost identical to siccifolium as nymphs, it is hard to tell the two apart unless you have accurate information on the adults.

a good site is www.phyllium.de its not in English but has some good pics to aid in identification, hope this helps Very Happy

neep_neep · Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 12:15 am Post subject:

Thanks keiron! Very Happy

Unfortunately I never got to see the adults, i've got no ideas there.

Siccifolium looks the right sort of shape, though quite a lot greener than the ones I have. Could this be a transition between a brown and green form? The site shows a brown nymph - might this be the first instar?
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Sophie

keiron · Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 12:20 am Post subject:

yes when siccifolium, and indeed the "phillipines" species i mentioned hatch out they are extremely slender and brown with white markings. these are more pronounced in siccifolium but they both have the same body shape, this is why they are so hard to tell apart! i would wait and see what they grow into, i noticed the "phillipines" have a more elongated body that ends in more of a point than true siccifolium.

either way enjoy them, great insects to keep! Very Happy

Paulk · Key Member Joined: 27 Mar 2007 Posts: 253 Location: essex

I have four Siccifolium at around the same instar age as yours, however they look more broader than the examples you have posted. So perhaps they are of the Phillipines species unstead.
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