The pink wing stick insect (Sipyloidea sipylus) is a medium-sized, nocturnal, herbivorous invertebrate originally native to Madagascar. 

Pink wing stick insects grow 3-4” long, and are almost entirely female in captivity due to parthenogenic reproduction. Like all stick insects, they are designed for optimum camouflage, and this species resembles a twig as adults. The body is light brown and slender, with long, thin limbs and antennae. They are best known for their wings, which are usually pink in color, although they are sometimes white. These wings are fully functional.

The pink wing stick insect is one of the most common stick insects in the pet trade, and is also known as the “Madagascan stick insect.” They are very easy to care for, with a total lifespan of around 1.5 years.

Pink-wing stick insects can reproduce successfully without the aid of a male. This means that your pet will lay viable eggs. If you do not wish to raise the young, you must destroy the egg case before disposing of it. Otherwise, there is a possibility that the young will hatch and start an invasive population in your area!

How much space do pink-wing stick insects need?

The general rule with housing stick insects is that the enclosure length and width should be at least twice that of the stick insect’s expected adult length, and the height should be at least three times expected adult length. A good starting point is 8”W x 12”H. The enclosure should have a mesh top for your pet to hang from for molting, and it should be well ventilated. Full-mesh enclosures work very well in climates that are not particularly dry.

Pink wing stick insects can be housed in groups just fine. The important thing to remember for housing groups is that they will need more space, particularly horizontally.

Do pink wing stick insects need special lighting?

As long as the stick insect’s enclosure is in a room that receives ~12 hours/day of artificial or bright natural light, then additional lighting equipment is unlikely to be necessary. However, if it is being kept in a dark room then ~6500K fluorescent or LED illumination is helpful.

Do not place your stick insect’s enclosure in front of a window, as the sunlight can overheat the enclosure and kill your pet!

What temperatures do pink wing stick insects need?

Pink wing stick insects usually do well between 64°F and 79°F, so they can be kept at room temperature. Keep track of the temperatures inside your enclosure with a digital thermometer, like with the probe placed in the middle. 

This wide tolerance range generally means that pink wing stick insects can be kept comfortably at room temperature without supplementary heating. Just make sure they’re kept in a room that doesn’t get too warm during summer.

What humidity levels do pink wing stick insects need?

Humidity is very important for successfully keeping stick insects as pets, as it helps ensure successful molting and general wellbeing. Pink wing stick insects prefer average humidity levels between 50-70%. To monitor the humidity in your pet’s enclosure, use a, with the probe placed in the middle. 

It’s good practice to lightly mist your pet’s enclosure with a spray bottle every evening to increase humidity and provide water for your pet to drink. Tap water is okay to use, but only if you dechlorinate it first. If this is not possible, it’s best to use distilled water.