Furry Diary

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Philippine Leaf Insect

Phyllium philippinicum

Also called Philippine walking leaf, Phyllium sp. Philippines

SpeciesShort profile

From Endemic to the Philippines, notably Luzon; the type specimen came from Bataan Province and captive stock from Subic, Zambales.12

At a glance the quick version

Length5.5 to 9.8 cm2
Lifespan0.33 to 1 years2
Sizemedium

Females 6.5-9.8 cm long, males 5.5-6.8 cm.

Adult stage only: males up to about 4 months, females usually 6-9 months and occasionally a year.

Spectacular leaf camouflage
One of the easier leaf insects to breed
Eats common bramble leaves
2

Looks how to spot one

Flat, leaf-shaped exoskeleton

A wide, flat insect shaped like a leaf, with leafy flaps on the legs. Females are broad with only forewings; males are narrower with full hind wings and can make short flights.2

ColoursLight greenDark greenBrown markings on some individuals2

Personality what they are like

Very peaceful. It spends the day sitting still on its food plant and sways gently when it moves, like a leaf in the wind. Adult males wander at night looking for females.2

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Low. Mostly motionless by day; tiny nymphs run about briefly after hatching before they settle to feed.2

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

No grooming. Keep fresh food plants available and mist them with lukewarm water every 2-3 days. Handle gently, as they can drop legs if grabbed.2

Home where they are happiest

A well-ventilated enclosure kept at about 22-27 C and 60-80% humidity, tall enough for hanging moults.23

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Mainly bramble (blackberry) leaves; oak and guava are also accepted.2

Company who they like around

Can live in groups in a roomy enclosure with plenty of food plants.2

The story where it all began

Leaf insects from the Philippines were bred by hobbyists for years under a placeholder name. The species was officially described in 2009, and today's captive lines trace back to animals collected in Zambales around 2000-2001.21

Fun facts for the dinner table

  1. 1

    Unlike many stick insects, this species does not reproduce without males.2

  2. 2

    Cooler temperatures during development tend to produce more males.2

  3. 3

    Males are often carried around by females for days while paired.2

  4. 4

    Eggs are about 5 mm long and hatch in roughly four to five months.2

Recognised by the official bits

Taxonomy (via Wikipedia)
Formally described in 2009 by Hennemann, Conle, Gottardo and Bresseel in Zootaxa. Earlier kept in the hobby as Phyllium sp. (Philippines) under PSG number 278.2

The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you

A typical home-care rhythm for a Philippine Leaf Insect. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.

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Where this comes from

Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.

  1. Phyllium philippinicum - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for description history, range
  2. Phyllium philippinicum - German Wikipedia de.wikipedia.orgused for size, colours, behaviour, care, eggs, lifespan, history, fun facts
  3. Stick insect care sheet - Amateur Entomologists' Society amentsoc.orgused for general enclosure guidance

Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.