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Indian Stick Insect (Carausius morosus)

Carausius morosus

The Carausius morosus, or Indian Stick Insect. It is the 'laboratory' and primary school phasmid par excellence: the most widespread species in the world in captivity since the 19th century. Morphologically similar to the Medauroidea (it is a thread-like green-brown twig), it is distinguished by two bright 'red patches' at the root of the front legs (in adult specimens). It is a creature of astounding biological resilience: it feeds on Ivy and Bramble at a frantic pace, and is famous for being 99.9% parthenogenetic. A single female specimen will give rise, laying hundreds of very hard ovoid eggs, to a self-sufficient colony identical in all respects to the mother. Very docile, nocturnal and very easy to maintain even in the winter months (thanks to the ivy).

Taxonomy
Class:Insecta
Order:Phasmida
Family:Lonchodidae
Genus:Carausius
Species:Carausius morosus

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Environment

Terrestrial

Humidity

60 - 70 %

Day temperature

20 - 24 °C

Night temperature

15 - 18 °C

UVB

None

Species description

Geographic Origin and Habitat: The PSG entry lists India, Tamil Nadu as the locality for Carausius morosus; it does not characterize habitat conditions.
Taxonomy and Genetics: The entry identifies Carausius morosus and does not provide genetic results.
Behaviour and Habits: It records parthenogenetic reproduction in culture and assumes sexual reproduction in the wild.
Morphology and Sexual Dimorphism: The cited entry supplies no morphological description or sex-dimorphism measurements.

Care, breeding and tankmates

Terrarium Setup: The Phasmid Study Group sheet for Carausius morosus says the cage should be at least 24 cm tall and have at least two ventilated sides; it lists room temperature.
Lighting and Heating: The cited sheet lists room temperature and does not provide a quantified lighting schedule.
Humidity and Hydration: The sheet says to spray the cage lightly every other day, enough for insects to drink and to help keep humidity up; it does not state a numerical humidity target.
Feeding and Supplementation: The sheet lists Privet, Ivy, Hawthorn, Pyracantha, Bramble, Rose, Raspberry, Oak and Hazel as usual foodplants. It gives no supplementation protocol.
Compatibility and Coexistence: The cited sheet provides no cohabitation recommendation.
Health and Common Diseases: The cited sheet provides no disease or veterinary-treatment evidence.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

This species originates from: Asia Meridionale (Boschi tropicali, arbusti e giardini in India Meridionale).

Origin

Selective breeding and cultivarsSouth and Southeast Asia

Terrestrial invertebrate profile

Diet
No verified data available
Life expectancy
No verified data available
Adult size
10 cm
The catalog's scalar value is 10 cm. The Phasmid Study Group — PSG 1 source reports a maximum adult measurement of 10 cm for this species, recorded as total length (TL). The taxonomic record consulted is Carausius morosus. These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
Lifestyle/Microhabitat
No verified data available
Activity cycle
No verified data available
Sociality
No verified data available
Reproduction
No verified data available
Venom level
No verified data available
Handling tolerance
No verified data available
Brumation
No verified data available
Molting
No verified data available

Image gallery

Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.

Related species

Recommendations grouped by close relatives, companion choices, and similar care.

Variants and close relatives

Same atlas type, nearby scientific identity, genus, or family.

Giant Spiny Stick Insect

Giant Spiny Stick Insect

Eurycantha calcarata

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Last updated: 08/10/2026
Indian Stick Insect (Carausius morosus) Care Guide & Terrarium Setup | Atlarium