Care Instructions for Stick Insect Eggs Baby Stick Insects

STICK-UBATOR SPY FIELD GUIDE

TOP SECRET MISSION: You are now a Stick Insect Spy!

Your mission is to protect your tiny undercover agents until they hatch, grow and eventually become master camouflage experts.

Your agents may be Spiny Leaf Insects, Goliath Stick Insects, Crowned Stick Insects or Violet Stick Insects. Each species is a little different, but they all need the right conditions to complete their mission.

MISSION 1: PROTECT THE EGGS

Your stick insect eggs are the beginning of the life cycle.

The eggs may look like tiny seeds or little brown objects. Do not throw them away! They are highly classified insect cargo. When you get home, fold a piece of paper towel (not tissue) and place it in the bottom of your enclosure. This will help keep the correct humidity inside your Stick-Ubator enclosure. Place the eggs back on top of the paper towel.

Where should the eggs go?

Keep your Stick-ubator enclosure:

Warm and away from extreme temperatures
Slightly humid, but never soaking wet. Keep your paper towel moist but not soaking wet.
Out of direct sunlight
Away from pets and curious fingers

Place the enclosure somewhere safe where it won't be knocked over.

SPY RULE #1: LOOK, DON'T TOUCH!

Stick insect eggs are surprisingly tough, but they should still be handled as little as possible.

Never pick up, squeeze, roll or shake the eggs.

Instead, use your spy skills and observe them through the enclosure.

THE HUMIDITY MISSION

Stick insect eggs need moisture in the environment, but too much water can cause problems.

Lightly mist the inside of the enclosure when it begins to look dry.

Keep your paper towel moist but not soaking wet. This will help activate your eggs and keep the humidity around 80%.

It’s ok to spray the eggs they won’t mind but watch out for mould! Mould loves warm,
humid environments. If you notice the paper towel going mouldy, simply replace it. If the
eggs are going mouldy gently remove them and wipe the mould off with a clean paper
towel and replace the eggs in the enclosure.

So now you are ready to wait for your eggs to hatch. Check your hatchery twice a week. A stick insect that hatches can survive a few days before it has to eat.

🚨 SPY ALERT: If water is pooling in the bottom of the enclosure, it is too wet. Increase ventilation and reduce misting.

THE TEMPERATURE MISSION

The best hatching conditions for your stick insects is 25 – 30degreesC (dropping no lower 20 -25degreesC at night). You can find a warm spot in your house that is NOT in direct sunlight or right next to the air conditioner or heater (this will be too much direct heat and your stick insect hatching mission will fail!).

Stick insect eggs can take several months to several years to hatch, depending on the species; so you will need to be patient. Really, really patient!

MISSION 2: THE HATCHING OPERATION

One day, you may spot something moving.

DO NOT PANIC.

You have discovered a newborn stick insect!

Baby stick insects are called nymphs.

They can be incredibly tiny and may look like little pieces of twig walking around.

YOUR FIRST JOB

Once a baby emerges:

Don't touch it.
Make sure the enclosure is secure.
Check that it has good ventilation.
Provide fresh eucalyptus leaves (the new, soft green leaves are the best for your baby stick insect)
Watch carefully for more babies.

There may be more than one secret agent hiding in the enclosure!

MISSION 3: FIND THE FOOD

Baby stick insects need fresh eucalyptus leaves to survive. The fresh, soft green leaves are best for your baby stick insect.

Never collect leaves from plants that may have been sprayed with pesticides or other chemicals.

THE LEAF TEST

Before giving leaves to your stick insects, ask:

"Do I know exactly what this plant is, and has it been free from pesticides?"

If the answer is NO, don't use it.

THE WATER SPY TRICK

Stick insects generally get much of their moisture from their food and from droplets on leaves.

Do not put a dish of water inside the enclosure.

Baby stick insects can drown surprisingly easily.

Instead, lightly mist suitable leaves so the insects can drink droplets from the surface. Using tap water is OK.

MISSION 4: MASTER OF CAMOUFLAGE

Your stick insect has one of the best spy disguises in the animal kingdom!

They can look remarkably similar to:

🌿 Twigs
🍂 Leaves
🌱 Stems
🌳 Bark

Some species even sway gently like a leaf or twig moving in the wind.

CAMOUFLAGE CHALLENGE

Can you find your stick insect without touching it?

How many seconds did it take?

Try again tomorrow.

Did it become easier or harder to find?

MISSION 5: THE MOULTING OPERATION

As your stick insect grows, it will need to shed its old skin.

This is called moulting.

You may notice your insect hanging very still or upside down.

DO NOT DISTURB A STICK INSECT WHILE IT IS MOULTING!

The new body underneath is soft and delicate.

The insect needs enough space to hang freely and safely complete its moult.

If another insect is sitting on it or the enclosure is too crowded, moulting can become difficult.

Once your baby stick insect has moulted once, it will need a new enclosure. You can use one similar to our Creature Kits (a pop up mesh enclosure).

Send us a secret message through our contact page if you need help!

🕵️ DAILY SPY CHECK

Every day, quietly check:

Is the enclosure secure?
Is the environment slightly humid but not soaking wet?
Is there plenty of fresh, safe food?
Can the insects climb and hang freely?
Can you see any newly hatched nymphs?
Is anyone moulting?
Can you spot all your undercover agents?

Remember: Observation is part of the mission. You don't need to touch your insects to learn about them.

HOW LONG WILL THE MISSION LAST?

Stick insect eggs can take weeks, months or years to hatch, depending on the species and environmental conditions. Sadly sometimes eggs that are viable when laid don't end up developing into baby stick insects and don't hatch. This is part of nature. If you're eggs have not hatched after 2 years, it's safe to assume they will not hatch.

Don't worry if nothing happens for a while.

The eggs may look completely inactive while a baby stick insect is developing inside.

Patience is an important spy skill!

FINAL SPY CHALLENGE

Choose one stick insect and give it a secret spy name.

Spy name: ______________________________

Species: _______________________________

Date you first spotted it: ________________

What does it look like?

Where does it hide?

What leaves does it eat?

What is its best camouflage trick?

CASE CLOSED?

Not yet!

Keep observing your stick insect as it grows. Record moults, changes in size, changes in colour and interesting behaviours.

One day, your tiny undercover agent may become a fully grown stick insect—and you will have watched an amazing insect life cycle unfold right in your own Stick-ubator!

MISSION STATUS: ACTIVE

Here is a video of a baby stick insect hatching! Click Here to see it