Children's Stick Insect time lapse (6 weeks)

In September 2006, I was given some "Children's Stick Insect" (Tropidoderus childrenii) eggs. This time lapse sequence captures the first 6 weeks of their lives. I used a webcam attached to my PC to capture a frame every 30 seconds.

This video shows highlights from the 6 weeks of footage, including eggs hatching, the insects eating, and them "molting" (shedding their skin to grow bigger). Another version of this video shows the entire 6 week sequence in just over 1 minute (see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnPUBP0Ox1Y ).

The most awesome (and strange) part of this video is between 2:25 and 2:50, where you'll see one of the insects shedding its skin, and then eating it!

These insects are native to Australia and eat eucalyptus leaves. They are not related to the praying mantis, and are not harmful to humans.

More information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropidoderus_childrenii

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• phasmid
• Children's
• Stick
• Insect
• Tropidoderus
• childrenii
• www.david-tobin.com

[kellymahito]

What breed are they? Tonight I had my very first hatchling of a spiny leaf stick insect (VERY EXCITED) I was looking for what they eat. My adults eat eucalyptus leaves, is that okay for the hatchling too?? Does that mean that my other eggs are due to hatch soon???

[GeekyMovies]

@kellymahito : They are "Tropidoderus childrenii" or commonly called ""Children's Stick Insects". Mine also eat eucalyptus. The smaller ones prefer the softer new leaf shoots, but will eat regular leaves as well. Congrats on your new spiny. I had several of those a while ago, and I think they might have laid some eggs, because I noticed a new hatchling that looked different to the others during the week. I'm not sure, but it might be a seasonal thing that triggers them to hatch.

[ahshedrunkagain]

I have two of those! I was told they only eat bramble. What are yours munching on then??? they seem to enjoy it! Please let me know. Also- would you happen to know at what age they start laying?? Thanks babe!

[GeekyMovies]

I feed my insects gum leaves (eucalyptus). My species are Australian natives, and that's their preferred diet. The do tend to prefer the softer, younger leaves.

[BlackKofee]

at what temperature do you keep the eggs?

[GeekyMovies]

@BlackKofee : I just keep them at room temperature. Unlike birds, the insects don't sit on the eggs to keep them warm :-)

[snowman452365]

That was cool, faved!

[gua0004]

i got a golieth, they are two times the size of childrenii or spiny

[BlackKofee]

@GeekyMovies

I tried to keep them in room temperature for 2.5 months but they still didn't hatch. I have Vietnamese Walking Sticks and I'm keeping the eggs at about 28 C for a one week now. What kind of walking sticks do you have? And how long did it took for them to hatch?

[BlackKofee]

@GeekyMovies

I tried to keep them in room temperature for 2.5 months but they still didn't hatch. I have Vietnamese Walking Sticks and I'm keeping the eggs at about 28 C for a one week now. What kind of walking sticks do you have? And how long did it took for them to hatch?