Types of plants/leaves for stick insects

akceltics19
New Member

Posts: 1

Types of plants/leaves for stick insects Nov 29, 2018 12:23:52 GMT -8

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Post by akceltics19 on Nov 29, 2018 12:23:52 GMT -8

Hello,

I am planning on getting some stick insects but am having trouble finding a good food source during the winter. I know I can buy bramble and eucalyptus leaves, but I want to grow my own plants to feed them. I had sticks previously and fed them romaine lettuce, but I do not know if the lettuce is nutritional or just tasty to them. Are there any plants that I could keep indoors to feed them? I would even consider having a type of bramble indoors in a big pot if it is possible. Thank you.

bandrow
Nabokov

Posts: 624

Types of plants/leaves for stick insects Dec 8, 2018 12:47:09 GMT -8

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Post by bandrow on Dec 8, 2018 12:47:09 GMT -8

Greetings,

I don't know where you're located, so this may or may not be helpful...

Some years ago, here in Pittsburgh, PA, USA, we were raising the native Diapheromera femorata and an exotic Eurycantha sp. We used multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora) and black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) during the warmer parts of the year. In the winter, we used firethorn (Pyracantha sp.) - an introduced shrub commonly used in landscaping in our area. Both species did well on firethorn. It is a fairly persistent evergreen through most of the winter, although in some years it did get dry and withered toward March in drier, colder seasons.

I'd try the firethorn if you have it in your area. The nice thing is that you can cut enough to feed your sticks and prune the bushes at the same time. Around here, it is used for hedges, and we found several homeowners that allowed us to take clippings. They considered it free landscaping care!

Cheers!
Bandrow