Sub Family: Cladomorphinae?  I'm not too sure...

Foodplant in captivity: I provide a mix of bramble, oak and eucalyptus (they eat a lot of whatever is provided for them!).  With the nymphs, I fed only eucalyptus.

Humidity requirements: I have reared my D. gigantea from nymphs using fairly airy cages (the nymphs were reared in a large 'pet pal' tank, and the adults are currently living in a 5 ft high tank that has two sides of mesh and the other two of Perspex).  As with many large species, the larger nymphs and the adults do very much like to drink.  Their living quarters and their foodplant should therefore be sprayed with a lot of water, which they will drink readily.

Comment: Although immensely popular, the species Diapherodes gigantea is relatively new to culture.  I believe it was collected by Tony James and his wife, who went to Grenada in 2002 specifically to search for the species.

I currently own 3 adult females and one male.  The first thing to note is that the size of the female varies quite substantially: my smallest is 13.8 cm long from head to end of abdomen, the medium-sized one measures 15.0 cm, and the largest is 16.3 cm long (see diagram).  All three are a fantastic bright apple-green colour.  Between each abdominal segment lies a subtle yellow and red horizontal stripe, and the sides of the thorax has a serrated edge, rather like a row of sharp teeth (though they're not actually sharp to touch!) The thick hind leg also displays these 'teeth'.  When distressed, the female emits a subtle toffee-like odour similar to that given off by male Extatosoma tiaratum.

I believe that part of the reason this species is so likeable - aside from its large size and bright colouration - is the almost spherical head of the female which can be (imaginatively) likened to the head of a human baby!  Again though, head size and shape do seem to vary between the adult females.

My single adult male measures just under 11 cm from head to end of abdomen.  He has long, bronze-coloured wings, and a thick cream-coloured abdominal stripe (approximately 1 inch long) along both sides.  His bronze-coloured thorax boasts a number of short green tubercles. 

Both male and female adults are very active, and the male is capable of flying short distances.

I have probably written this about many species, but I have to say that D. gigantea really is one of my favourite phasmids.  They are incredibly easy to rear (needing almost the same level of attention as Carausius morosus, for instance!).  The only thing to bear in mind is that the larger nymphs and the adults need a fairly tall cage (minimum 2 ft high for 1 -2 pairs).