Sub Family: Pseudophasmatinae.

Foodplant in captivity:  I use only privet (Ligustrum spp), though I am aware that some breeders also use lilac (Syringa spp).

Humidity requirements: I rear this species in a plastic container that has a plastic grid-like lid.  A lightly spray probably only once a fortnight.

Comment: I really love Pseudophasma rufipes.  The winged adults have a tendency to fly when disturbed, and when they do they look a lot like butterflies, with their stunning scarlet-coloured hindwings.

Note that this species is parthenogenic in culture (i.e. only females are available).

Defence tactics: With its brown body, this phasmid is quite able to blend in against a background of branches.  The white 'knees' also aid camouflage via 'disruptive colouration', whereby the predator's eyes are drawn only to specific areas of the insect, effectively detracting from the true shape of the insect itself.  If the insect nonetheless is threatened, it is able to use its wings to fly away and escape, probably startling the predator with a sudden flash of red.  And should the predator be fast enough to be able to pursue the flying insect, it would no doubt be confused when the insect lands, since the hindwings will have been folded away, and the insect will once again have blended into its surroundings.