Range

The giant leaf insect is a native of Malaysia.

Habitat

They make their home in the canopy of the forest.

Reproduction

Females will start to lay eggs within 1 to 1.5 months of molting to maturity. The small, brown-black eggs (shown above) resemble a seed helping them to avoid predation.

Females are parthenogenetic and they are able to produce viable eggs without them being fertilized by a male. Few males have been found in the wild and very few are present in captive collections.

The eggs take six to nine months to hatch.

Hatchlings resemble smaller versions of the adult. They will grow to adult size by molting their skin at regular intervals.

Behavior

Giant leaf insects will sway in the breeze which helps them to avoid detection by predators. When walking they move slowly with a swaying gait. Every few steps they freeze for a short period.

The giant leaf insect is able to regenerate its legs. If one is lost they will gain a new one next time they molt. This ability stops once they reach adult size.

Most of their activity takes place at night.

Predators and Threats

Natural predators include birds.

If threatened they will sit incredibly still and attempt to blend in as leaf to avoid detection.

Quick facts

The giant leaf insect is sometimes kept as a pet.

Until 1994 it was thought that there were only female Malaysian leaf insects until a single male was discovered.

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