Giant leaf insects ( Phyllium giganteum ) is one of the largest leaf insects in the world and belongs to the largest species of the Phyllium genus. In France this animal is usually called Phyllie géante, in Germany Das grosse Wandelnde Blatt, while in England Walking leaves or True leaf insect and in Italy called Fillio or Insetto foglia.
These insects include close relatives of Phylliidae and in accordance with the Phasmatodea sequence. These insects are scattered throughout the world of approximately 2000 species except Antarctica and Patagonia they have never been found in these two areas. These insects include the most unique insects, because of its shape that resembles foliage. These animals are also harmless to humans. Almost all types of insects are herbivores, this animal Phyllium giganteum is also one of the herbivorous or plant-eating species.
This phyllium giganteum insect already existed from about 40 million years ago, This insect (Phyllium giganteum) is a native insect of continental Asia especially for the tropics. The native habitat of these insects is in the forest, they inhabit the tree, there are also forest explorers who accidentally get this unique insect. auh earlier this animal has also been found in villages or villages a little away from urban areas.
In fact these insects are green, flat, the visible foliar veins and also the legs have changed to simulate the margins of the leaves. As we have said, green color, presents brown spots around the body and two small brown spots on the top of the abdomen that simulate dry parts or decaying leaves.
Female length can be 12 cm, the antennae are short and the wings are rudimentary or vestigial. Males (whose whereabouts are always spoken of look that in nature are hard to find) have long wings, green and transparent, antenna length, has reduced the size and also the green body with a brown leg but slimmer than the female. Instead, larvae or neanoid brown, resembles an adult stage but only 2 cm in length.
Phyllium giganteum is a type of reptile that is an egg laying. The eggs are 8.5 mm long and 4 mm wide, black and glossy, similar to seeds, hatch after about 6 months of breeding and produce larvae or neanida which in this first phase is brown. Currently, the giant leaf insects are not threatened with extinction. Because they can camouflage with nature. With abundant food sources for all the insectivorous animals present in the forest such as reptilians, birds and mammals.