Phaenopharos khaoyaiensis

Practical guide for breeding and maintaining Phaenopharos khaoyaiensis

1. Introduction
   Phaenopharos khaoyaiensis is a phasmid native to Southeast Asia. It stands out for its bright red hindwings, which it displays as a defensive mechanism. It is quite robust and relatively easy to keep in captivity, although it requires a large terrarium due to its size and arboreal habit.

2. Biological cycle

3. Egg
   o Dark gray to brown, oval-shaped, similar to a seed.
   o Deposited on the ground or dropped from the female’s abdomen.
   o Incubation time: 5–8 months at 22–26 °C.

4. Nymph
   o At birth, measures about 1.5 cm.
   o Passes through 5–6 molts.
   o Growth to adult: 5–7 months.

5. Adult
   o Length: 10–12 cm.
   o Color: brown or grayish, with red and black hindwings visible in flight or defense.
   o Adult life: 8–12 months.
   o Males smaller and slimmer, females robust.

3. Environmental conditions
   • ?️ Temperature: 22–26 °C (they can tolerate up to 28 °C).
   • ? Humidity: 60–80%. Spray 1–2 times a day.
   • ☀️ Light: 12 h day/night cycle.
   • ?️ Ventilation: essential to prevent mold.

4. Recommended habitat
   • Terrarium or cage:
   o Minimum size: 40 × 40 × 60 cm for a group.
   o Better tall than wide → they need vertical branches for climbing and molting.
   • Substrate: absorbent paper, coco fiber, or peat (to collect eggs).
   • Decoration: branches, artificial or pesticide-free natural plants.
   • Ventilation: good, ideally a mesh terrarium or ventilated sides.

5. Feeding
   Accepted host plants:
   • Bramble (Rubus spp.) → the most practical all year round.
   Recommendations:
   • Place branches in containers with water covered with cotton/aluminum foil.
   • Renew leaves every 2–3 days.
   • Avoid wilted or pesticide-treated leaves.
   • Always keep food available.

6. Cleaning and maintenance
   • Remove dry leaves and droppings every 2–3 days.
   • Change substrate every 2–3 weeks.
   • Spray water on walls and leaves to maintain humidity.
   • Do not waterlog the substrate.

7. Egg incubation
   • The female drops the eggs to the ground.
   • Collect them or let them accumulate in the substrate.
   • Incubation:
   o Place them in coco fiber, vermiculite, or slightly moist absorbent paper.
   o Temperature: 22–26 °C.
   o Humidity: 60–70%.
   • Hatching time: 5–8 months.

8. Important tips
   ✅ Provide a tall terrarium with branches for proper molting.
   ✅ Maintain stable humidity with good ventilation.
   ✅ Spray daily without waterlogging.
   ✅ Always offer fresh and varied leaves for a balanced diet.
   ✅ Avoid excessive handling: although they are hardy, freshly molted nymphs are very fragile.

9. Quick summary (checklist)
   • Temperature: 22–26 °C.
   • Humidity: 60–80%, spray 1–2 times a day.
   • Feeding: bramble, rose, ivy, oak, hazel.
   • Terrarium: minimum 40 × 40 × 60 cm, ventilated and tall.
   • Cleaning: remains every 2–3 days, substrate change every 2–3 weeks.
   • Eggs: incubation 5–8 months in moist and ventilated substrate.
   • Life: nymph 5–7 months, adult 8–12 months.