Common Name: Black Beauty Stick Insect
Scientific Name: Peruphasma schultei

Size : NymphLarge nymph
Status: Captive Bred

Food: Privet

A really lovely stick insect. The adults have bright red wings and yellow eyes, the body is jet black.

How I keep mine

I keep my Black Beauty  stick insects in a fish tank with a wood and mesh lid. I have a layer of peat or coir on the floor (3-4cm) to provide humidity and somewhere to lay their eggs. I feed them Privet once a week in a jar of water, with tissue around the rim to prevent any from downing. They are very easy to keep and seem to like slightly drier conditions than other species, I only spray them every couple of days with tepid water. They often sit close to the old twigs so take care when cleaning them out or you may miss one or two and throw the insects out with the old leaves (this has happened to me). They like to hide away during the day but once disturbed they can run surprisingly quickly. The adult stick insects have little red wings that shoot out as the run, they are a very attractive species. You may also notice that they give off a pungent smell when alarmed, they actually spray a fluid to deter predators so it is important not to put them too close to your face and wash your hands after holding them.

Sizes shown are average length from head to tip of abdomen, including ovipositor, but not antennae.

Stick insects are generally sent as a male and female pair, or single male. If you require a single female please telephone to check availability (unless I have a surplus of females a male will be sent). It is not possible to sex nymphs from all species.