{"id":8912,"date":"2022-08-11T21:00:32","date_gmt":"2022-08-11T21:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/keepingbugs.com\/?p=8912"},"modified":"2023-05-29T19:24:22","modified_gmt":"2023-05-29T19:24:22","slug":"metallic-stick-insect-achrioptera-manga-care-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/keepingbugs.com\/metallic-stick-insect-achrioptera-manga-care-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Metallic Stick Insect [Achrioptera manga] Care Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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One of the most stunning stick insects may probably be Achrioptera manga, also called metallic stick insect. With its bright blue-coloured body and a metallic glance, it is absolutely stunning. At least for the males as they are the bright coloured ones. Females are still beautiful but plain brown coloured. It will be obvious that these stick insects are quite popular to keep as pets. They are formerly (until 2019) known as Achrioptera fallax<\/em>. All you need to know to keep these beautiful pets will be discussed in this care guide. Let’s dive in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Metallic stick insects need an enclosure of at least 30x30x60cm, a room temperature of around 20\u00b0C and a quite humid (60-70%) environment to stay healthy. You can feed metallic stick insects with a combination of leaves from bramble, raspberry, oak or eucalyptus.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

These metallic stick insects are a bit harder to keep, however when you provide the care as described in this care guide it will be no problem. We will look in detail into how to house and care for them and provide plenty of care tips and tricks to let your (future) metallic stick insect thrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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About metallic stick insects (Achrioptera manga<\/em>)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a>\"Common<\/span>Metallic stick insect<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>\"Scientific<\/span>Achrioptera manga<\/em> (PSG327)<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>\"Lifespan\"\/<\/span>Lifespan is around 10 to 12 months<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>\"Length<\/span>Body size \u2642 15cm (5.9″) \u2640 22cm (8.6″) <\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>\"Natural<\/span>Originates from Madagascar <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>
\"\"<\/picture><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Appearance and camouflage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As mentioned in the introduction, the metallic stick insect was mostly known by the name Achrioptera fallax<\/em> but is reidentified in 2019 as Achrioptera manga. That makes no difference in the beautiful colours this species has. It is well-known for its blue colour with its metallic glance. However, it is only the males that have these bright colours. Females, although stunning in size (some specimens known to be up to 26cm), have much more plain brown colours. The males have also orange spikes that are most visible on the middle hand hind legs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This stick insect has the typical build on a long tube-like body with six long legs. Also, its head, which can be quite large with females, have strong mandibles to consume plant leaves \u2014 although they are unable to bite or inflict damage to humans. The bright colours look like warning signals but these creatures are harmless. They are even rather clumsy when horizontal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both males and females have underdeveloped wings \u2014 although the males are more brightly coloured \u2014 and they are unable to fly. They use the wings as signalling. Males can also make loud hizzing sounds when startled to scare off any predator. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is quite unusual to find stick insects with such bright colours and it is counterintuitive for camouflage, although when sitting still and with the legs along their body, they are still sometimes difficult to find in dense bushes. However, these animals are from Madagascar and you see some more strange evolution on that island when it comes to colours and shapes of animals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Behaviour, temperament and handling<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As said before, these animals can be quite clumsy and when startled may let them fall of the branch. Males tend to make a very loud hizzing noise. Besides that, these species are pretty calm and are beautiful to watch. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These species can be handled, but care must be taken because stick insects are very fragile creatures. Never try to pick up a stick insect from a branch. They have little hooks on the tip of their feet which work like grappling hooks. Together with fragile body segments, a leg is quickly detached when picked up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Better is to let them walk onto your hand by nudging carefully on their back. When on your hand, don’t keep them too high above a surface. They are clumsy and when they fall off (or let themselves fall off your hand) can inflict damage to the animal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When not needed, it is better to leave these animals in the enclosure. When you need to move the animals from one enclosure to another, let them walk on a twig that you can place in the other location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Maybe you like this article:<\/strong> 15 surprisingly interesting facts about stick insects<\/a><\/div>