Aspectos ecológicos e reprodutivos de Extatosoma tiaratum (Phasmatodea: Phasmatidae) em condições laboratoriais

Abstract

Extatosoma tiaratum (Macleay, 1826), popularly known as the spiny leaf insect or Australian walking stick, is a species native to Australia recognized for its distinctive morphology and remarkable camouflage ability. Despite its increasing use in behavioral studies and as an exotic pet, there is still limited information about its biology and ecology in Brazil. This study aimed to observe and analyze aspects of the general ecology of the species, with emphasis on its reproductive dynamics under controlled conditions. The research was conducted between 2023 and 2025 through the maintenance of adult individuals in a laboratory enclosure and the monitoring of egg laying, incubation, and hatching. During the experimental period, a total of 2,050 eggs were collected and analyzed, allowing the evaluation of female reproductive productivity, incubation time, and hatching rate under different environmental conditions. The results indicated that a single female can lay approximately 632 eggs over a period of about six months, with weekly values ranging from 12 to 50 eggs. The incubation period ranged from less than seven days under warmer conditions to more than two months under lower temperatures, highlighting the influence of thermal conditions on embryonic development. The hatching rate reached 36.5% under favorable conditions but decreased significantly in the presence of parasites and fungi. These findings indicate the high reproductive potential of the species and reinforce the need for attention to the management, regulation, and commercialization of E. tiaratum in order to prevent possible ecological impacts resulting from its introduction outside its native distribution range.