O bicho-folha-gigante-da-malásia é um inseto de grande porte que vive nas florestas tropicais do oeste da Malásia. É uma espécie dotada de um incrível poder de camuflagem. Como o nome sugere, a espécie evoluiu para se mesclar com as folhas das árvores onde vive. As fêmeas têm 12 cm de comprimento, são largas, achatadas e têm pequenas asas vestigiais (que não permitem voar). Os machos têm cerca de 9 cm de comprimento e são muito mais esguios. Eles têm asas longas e são capazes de voar.
Latin Name
Phyllium giganteum
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giant-leaf-insect
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Animal Facts
The giant Malaysian leaf insect is very docile and spends most of its time still and unreactive, which further improves its camouflage.
The giant Malaysian leaf insect lives in the Taman Negara rainforest which is 130million years old and one of the oldest rainforests in the world.
While moulting, the giant Malaysian leaf insect is very vulnerable and can easily die if the temperature or humidity of the environment are not ideal, or if they are touched while their bodies are still soft.
Females do not require males to reproduce and can breed asexually, but all the offspring will be female in this case.
The first male giant Malaysian leaf insect was not discovered until 1994, therefore comparatively little is known about the males of this species.
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