Jungle nymphs (Heteropteryx dilatata) are also known as Malaysian stick insects. These are a 3.5-6” long, nocturnal, herbivorous invertebrate found in the tropical forests of Malaysia.
After maturity, jungle nymphs look very different depending on what sex they are. Females are lime green and/or bright yellow, with a wide, heavy body, and reduced wings. Males have brown/beige, more slender body with full-length wings. Both are covered in small spikes, although the female’s are more prominent.
Because of their unique appearance, jungle nymphs make popular pet invertebrates. With appropriate care, they can live for up to 2 years.
Minimum terrarium size for jungle nymphs
The widely-accepted minimum formula for housing stick insects is:
- Length = 2x length
- Width = 2x length
- Height = 3x length
Height is particularly important, as stick insects need vertical space in order to molt (shed their exoskeleton) and grow properly. Using the above formula, the enclosure for an adult-sized jungle nymph should be at least 12”L x 12”W x 18”H and made of glass, plastic, or mesh.
Jungle nymphs generally get along fine when housed together in groups. However, keep in mind that if you want to keep more of them in the same enclosure, you will need a bigger enclosure — particularly along the horizontal dimensions.
Do jungle nymphs need special lighting?
If your stick insect’s enclosure is placed in a room that receives ~12 hours/day of bright natural or artificial light, then additional lighting equipment is unnecessary. However, if your pet is being kept in a dark room or you wish to put live plants in the enclosure, then you will need additional lighting equipment such as a small white fluorescent or LED grow light around 6500K color temperature.
Best temperature for jungle nymphs
Jungle nymphs do best when they are kept between 77-82°F. This is slightly warmer than room temperature, so it’s best practice to use supplementary heating for this species unless your room’s temperature is naturally warm.
The Zoo Med Nano Dome Lamp Fixture and 25w Zoo Med Nano Basking Spot bulb is a good combination to start with. Stick insects tend to hang upside-down from the top of their enclosure, so if you put the lamp directly on top of the mesh, there’s a good chance that your pet will get burned! Instead, suspend the lamp from a lamp stand.
The best way to keep track of the temperatures inside your jungle nymph’s enclosure is with a digital thermometer placed in the middle of the enclosure.
Heat lamps should be turned off at night.
Best humidity levels for jungle nymphs
Providing the right amount of humidity is very important for making sure that your stick insect is able to molt properly and stays generally healthy. Too high and too low will both cause problems. For the jungle nymph, their comfort zone is around 70% on average.
Lightly mist your pet’s enclosure every evening with a spray bottle to both increase the humidity and provide drinking water. Mesh enclosures will need misting more often than glass or plastic ones.
Keep track of the humidity in your pet’s enclosure with a digital hygrometer.
Best substrate for jungle nymphs
Your jungle nymph terrarium should have at least 1-2” of substrate on the bottom to help maintain the humidity. Here are some moisture-friendly materials you can use:
- Zoo Med Creatures Eco Soil
- Zoo Med Creature Soil
- Zoo Med ReptiBark
- Eco Earth Plantation Soil
- Exo Terra Forest Bark
This substrate will need to be replaced weekly and the enclosure thoroughly rinsed out with hot water to maintain good hygiene.
How to decorate a jungle nymph terrarium
In order to reduce stress, prolong your pet’s lifespan, and encourage natural behaviors, your jungle nymph needs both objects to climb and hide in inside its enclosure. Here are some ideas of things you can use:
- cork logs/flats
- twigs
- thin vines
- artificial foliage
Use hot glue to attach climbing objects to the sides and bottom of the enclosure at different angles for variety. However you arrange your enclosure, make sure to leave enough open space at the top for twice your pet’s height to use during molting.
What to feed to a jungle nymph
Stick insects are herbivores, which means that they eat plants in order to get the nutrition that they need. Make sure a branch of fresh leaves is always available. You can stick this branch in a vase of water to keep the leaves fresh for longer!
Here are some options for leaves that are appropriate to feed to a jungle nymph:
- Blackberry (older leaves only, no new leaves)
- Raspberry
- Oak
- Rose
- Ivy
- Hawthorn
Oak leaves freeze well for use during winter, and blackberry leaves usually stay available through the winter as well. Romaine lettuce may be offered if you have nothing better on hand.
Never source leaves from garden centers or florists, as these are likely to be covered in chemicals that will harm your pet! It is also best practice to avoid foliage from plants near roads, as they are likely to be contaminated by vehicle exhaust.
How to handle your jungle nymph
As a general rule, invertebrates are “look-but-don’t-touch” pets: fun to watch, but not to be handled regularly. Male jungle nymphs are alright to handle, but females require special consideration due to the sharp spines on their back legs. When startled, females will deliver a big pinch with these spines, and can draw blood. For this reason, it’s best to wear a pair of leather gloves for handling.
To pick up your pet, place a hand under its front legs, then use your other hand to coax it forward from behind. Be very gentle as you do this, as it’s easy to injure a stick insect. Let it step onto your hand of its own accord, and don’t force it!
*This care sheet contains only very basic information. Although it’s a good introduction, please further your research with high-quality sources. The more you know, the better you will be able to care for your pet!
"Jungle Nymph (Heteropteryx dilatata)" by berniedup is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0