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SPECIES FILE
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Heteropteryx dilatata

Malayan Jungle Nymph

A broad green silhouette hides a heavily armoured leaf-eater.

Reference photo, not the individual on display. Credits appear below.

Care preparation Fresh foliage, moisture and moulting
Living space Tall enclosure with moisture and airflow
How to observe Quiet observation

Meet your new acquaintance

Nickname Armour among the leaves
A nighttime leaf-eater that rests quietly among foliage by day.

Species highlights

Spiny hind legs can act like a defensive clamp

An adult female’s spiny hind legs can lift and close defensively, unlike a mantis’s front legs used in prey capture.

A plant-eater still faces predation, so camouflage, stillness, spines and sound can serve protection. Male appearance also differs from the conspicuous green female.

Returning this defence to leaf feeding, development and buried eggs completes the “armour” story without testing it on a finger.

Feature sources:

At a glance

Heteropteryx dilatata is a large plant-eating insect of humid forests associated with the Malay Peninsula and nearby regions. Adult females are usually broad, green and short-winged; males are slimmer, browner and have more developed wings. Age must also be considered when interpreting this strong sexual dimorphism.

Nocturnal leaf feeding and daytime foliage rest accompany strong sex differences in body shape, colour and wing development.

Nymphs grow through moults, while adults no longer moult to grow. Buried eggs add a long, less visible developmental stage. Spiny hind-leg defence and wing-related sound complete a plant-eater’s protective repertoire without defining its whole life by threat.

Common names Jungle Nymph; Malayan Jungle Nymph; Malaysian Giant Jungle Nymph; PSG 18
Scientific name Heteropteryx dilatata
Native rangeHumid forests of the Malay Peninsula and nearby recorded areas; trade locality needs provenance records
Adult sizeBody length: females about 15 cm; males about 10 cm, excluding extended legs
ActivityMainly feeds at night and rests under cover by day
Diet Maintain fresh, pesticide-free, accepted foliage such as bramble or rose. Avoid unverified plant substitutions, replenish leaves and block openings around stems to prevent drowning.

Habitat & care

These are routine-care starting points. Balance humid air with ventilation and ample hanging space for moulting. Breeding females also need suitable substrate for burying eggs.

Values guide routine care, not breeding or brumation. Dimensions are length × width × height for one adult unless stated otherwise; larger animals need more space.

TemperatureDaytime air: 24–26°C; nights around 20°C Based on direct husbandry observations. Measure at the insect’s location and prevent hot surfaces and closed-container overheating.
HumidityAround 70% RH or higher, with ventilation Published observations describe humidity of at least 70%. Maintain air exchange after light foliage misting, avoiding persistent condensation and mould. Manage egg incubation separately.
LightingIndirect daylight and a normal day/night rhythm The cited sources do not specify a species-specific UVI target. Reptile basking and UVB settings should not be substituted.
SpaceSuggested starting size: 45×45×60 cm (L×W×H) A recommendation for one or a small number of adults; increase space with group size. Keep roughly three body lengths of clear hanging height. For breeding, a separate laying area about 6 cm deep can be provided. Secure foliage-water container openings against falls.

Look a little closer

Compare body width, colour and wing length; if both sexes are visible, contrast the broad green female with the slimmer brown male. Find hind-leg spines and six foot contacts. During feeding, follow head and mouthpart movements along the expanding leaf-edge cut.

Care note: Spiny hind legs can pinch fingers. Experienced staff should guide an insect onto a branch rather than gripping or pulling its legs. Maintain suitable fresh foliage and manage eggs and discarded substrate carefully.

About this profile

The Malayan jungle nymph is Heteropteryx dilatata. The reference photograph shows a female.

Profile status: Reference profile · Reviewed

References (5)

Photo: Drägü · CC BY-SA 4.0; female reference image, proportionally scaled, with no content edits · Original image, credit and licence

Behaviour notes describe the species, not a promise about every individual. These care notes introduce its needs; ask our team about the animal on display and any supervised encounters.