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Heteropteryx dilatata - Jungle Nymphs
Appearance/General information
- Heteropteryx dilatata, often called Jungle nymphs, originate from Malaysia
- Jungle nymph females are the heaviest insects in the world and also very large.
- The females are usually bright but occasionally yellow. They are much larger and wider than males growing up to ??. They have small wings and cannot fly.
- The males are smaller and thinner, growing to ?? and usually brown/beige in colour.
Feeding
- They feed well on bramble which can be found in gardens all year round. They may also accept ivy and rose.
- Ensure food is clean and free from insecticides, ensure it is washed if gotten from near a busy road
- Food should be changed regularly to stay fresh. Keeping the cuttings in a jar of water will keep the food fresh for longer.
- Cut leaves or leaves already nibbled on by adults are better for newly hatched nymphs as they can have trouble feeding on the hardened edges. You can do this by cutting the edges of leaves with scissors.
Breeding
- Once matured, males can be seen piggybacking on the females for mating.
- The female will still lay eggs if a male is not present but will be infertile.
- This species lays eggs in a substrate so ensure soil, sand or similar is available for the eggs to be buried in, keep this substrate moist for easier access
- Eggs for this species are quite large and can be seen easily if being removed from the substrate
- Heteropteryx dilatata, often called Jungle nymphs, originate from Malaysia
- Jungle nymph females are the heaviest insects in the world and also very large.
- The females are usually bright but occasionally yellow. They are much larger and wider than males growing up to ??. They have small wings and cannot fly.
- The males are smaller and thinner, growing to ?? and usually brown/beige in colour.
Feeding
- They feed well on bramble which can be found in gardens all year round. They may also accept ivy and rose.
- Ensure food is clean and free from insecticides, ensure it is washed if gotten from near a busy road
- Food should be changed regularly to stay fresh. Keeping the cuttings in a jar of water will keep the food fresh for longer.
- Cut leaves or leaves already nibbled on by adults are better for newly hatched nymphs as they can have trouble feeding on the hardened edges. You can do this by cutting the edges of leaves with scissors.
Breeding
- Once matured, males can be seen piggybacking on the females for mating.
- The female will still lay eggs if a male is not present but will be infertile.
- This species lays eggs in a substrate so ensure soil, sand or similar is available for the eggs to be buried in, keep this substrate moist for easier access
- Eggs for this species are quite large and can be seen easily if being removed from the substrate