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  • Black beauty stick insect

    Peruphasma schultei

    The black beauty stick insect is characterized by its strong, velvety black body, yellow eyes, yellow-curled antennae and red hind wings. The rudimentary, leathery cover wings (tegmina), which are raised when threatened or during courtship, are striking. Although they have wings, the animals are unable to fly. In case of danger, they can spray an irritating secretion that briefly irritates the eyes and nose. A remarkable behavior is the long-lasting mating, in which the female carries the male on her back for weeks.

    Classification Insect, Phasmatodea (approx. 3400 species)
    Habitat Tropical and subtropical forest of Peru
    Behaviour Dusky and nocturnal
    Diet Leaves of the pepper tree
    Weight Few grams
    Body length Females up to 7 cm, Males up to 5 cm
    Brood 1.5 cm long eggs are laid on the ground
    Duration from egg laying to hatching The young (nymphs) hatch from the eggs after 4-5 months.
    Life expectancy 5 months as nymphs, 9-12 months as adults
    Use Terrarium animal
    Current population Unknown, decreasing
    At Zurich Zoo since 2024

    Distribution

    Verbreitungskarte Samtschrecke
    Image

    Conservation status

    IUCN RedList