Sungaya inexpectata 'Highland' - PSG 195 - Stick Insect
Sungaya inexpectata, or commonly known as 'sunny stick insects', are a docile, medium-sized species of stick insect from various regions in the Philippines. The 'Highland' form refers to the appearance of these stick insects, with individuals ranging from dark brown to light grey in colour, and white stripes only present on the appendages. The 'Lowland' form can be recognised by individuals having a bold, white line going laterally down the back. This species is a must-have for beginners or for any hobbyist that enjoys variation and an element of surprise amongst their collections! We currently only keep and breed female Sungayas, so individuals available will all be female.
Adult size: male 4-5cm, female 8-9cm
Lifespan: approx. 1 year
Status: captive bred
Place of Origin: Philippines
Parthenogenetic: Yes
Temperature: 20-24˚C
Humidity: 60-70%
Diet: Bramble, Raspberry, Rose
Special requirements: These like to hide under bark pieces during the day and require a tub of soil to lay their eggs in. Females will also flick their eggs
The EntoScapes Way
Shipping Info
Return & Refund Policy - Live Inverts
- We like to keep our stick insects in our greenhouse which is kept around 22˚C and humidity ranges between 65-75%, but these will do just fine at average room temperature so long as the humidity is kept in the higher ranges which aids the molting process. Enclosure size should be at least 3 times the length of the body of the insect in height, and at least 2x the length of the insect in width. If housing different species together, use the largest individual as a guide. A few individuals will live together just fine in a 45cm x 30cm enclosure.
- We use a mesh enclosure, like the ones designed for keeping butterflies, as we find the mesh provides excellent cross-ventilation. As these invertebrates are arboreal, its important to try and replicate these conditions in captivity. Alternatively, a tall glass or plastic enclosure can be used if it has adequate ventilation, and humidity can be maintained by mist spraying the enclosure 2-3 times a week. We add a variety of hardwood branches as décor, and bark pieces to provide a more natural, enriching habitat.
- We like to line the floor of the enclosure with some paper towels which catch the faeces and absorb excess moisture, reducing the chances of mold. The light colouration of the tissue also helps with spotting eggs and differentiating them from droppings. Once a week we replace the tissue and separate out eggs from poo. It is important to mention that we only collect as many eggs as we can care for, the remainder are frozen to prevent hatching. Eggs can be incubated in moist sphagnum moss at 20-22˚C and can take between 6-12 months to hatch.
- We like to gather our own foodplants for our stick insects from local parks and forests which we know are safe and have minimal or no pesticide use. We suggest picking branches with leaves that are away from the main path, higher than ground level, and are healthy and free from signs of fungal infections and disease. Generally, if the leaves are green, intact and have other little critters living on them, then you are good to go!
- We cut the branches at a length that is 10cm or so less than the height of the enclosure which ensures there is a suitable gap at the top for stick insects to molt. The branches are soaked in water for 15-20 minutes to remove any surface debris and hitchhikers. The end of the branches are placed in a jar of fresh water to keep the cuttings fresher for longer. We push some paper towel into the top of the jar to close off the opening which prevents any smaller stick insects from drowning. Once a week we replace the branches with fresh ones, but this can vary for different hobbyists.
