Sub Family: Phylliidae

Foodplant in captivity: Bramble.

Humidity requirements: A great many articles have been written regarding the Phylliums and their humidity requirements.  Many people suggest that they need as much humidity as the Heteropteryginae.  Others talk about constructing tanks that have three glass sides and the fourth side made of mesh, in order to allow adequate airflow, and some people even install a tiny computer fan next to the cage. 

Personally I believe that, although Phylliums require some degree of humidity to be able to moult adequately, build-up of stale air causes decelerated growth and subsequent death.  Therefore I raise my Leaf Insects in a tall plastic sweet jar, with netting over the top, and every few days I spray a dense layer of luke-warm water over the netting.  I leave this for about 30 minutes, allowing the insects to drink if they wish, and then I put the cage in front of a fan for several hours (see picture).  The use of a fan appears to blow away excess water, and it also encourages the insects to walk about and start eating.  I don't know whether this is the ideal method of rearing Phylliums, but it works for me.

Comment: Everybody loves Leaf Insects, and Phyllium celebicum is apparently one of the easiest Phyllium species to rear.  Having said that though, people with little to no experience should wait a few years before considering keeping them, as they really are sensitive to fluctuations in their environment: food must always be fresh, temperature should remain more or less constant, and humidity levels must be controlled.

I've so far only had the opportunity to rear these insects from young nymphs, and so cannot yet comment on how to breed them or incubate the ova.