Help with the Stick Bugs!

Nicholasdeaan

Avid Member
Ended up with a few wild mantises tonight. A few decided to jump on thissle weeds ( I touch those suckers and I get welts) so a few got away. Along with a few Katydids. Not to shabby for 30 minutes of searching! But, I always fail to find any Walking Stick Insects. I've been trying for about a month now. To anyone who catches them, what plant species should I be looking on specifically? I know they like vines, black berry leaves, and etc. But I just keep striking out! I'm going after dark, finding other nocturnal bugs. But just no stick bugs. Help! Ha
 

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Sticks are generally never common in number and Wild Rose is a popular food plant. They are more a novelty feeder than something of substance, so the mantises and katydids are far more nutritious.
 
Wild caught katydids and mantises are more nutritious, but if you're cultivating get Indian stick bugs. You can get starter cultures from Nick Barta on these forums. I think m,ost wild caught insect feeders are more nutritious because they eat a wider variety of foods, but things like silk worms hornworms and stick insects eat primarily the same thing wild or captive can be a great cultured feeder.
 
Sticks are generally never common in number and Wild Rose is a popular food plant. They are more a novelty feeder than something of substance, so the mantises and katydids are far more nutritious.
I know a lot of people near me and friends of mine, finding them accidentally pretty frequently. Lol Which is why I am here, baffled about why I can't a sinhke bug. Wild Rose...I'll check that out. And yeah I know, they'd just be interesting to see and feed off.
Wild caught katydids and mantises are more nutritious, but if you're cultivating get Indian stick bugs. You can get starter cultures from Nick Barta on these forums. I think m,ost wild caught insect feeders are more nutritious because they eat a wider variety of foods, but things like silk worms hornworms and stick insects eat primarily the same thing wild or captive can be a great cultured feeder.

Yeah I understand that the stick bugs aren't as nutritious vs. Katydids and Mantises, I'd just like to catch a few for the hell of it. They're pretty thin and have nothing to them really. But it would be cool to feed a few off and snap a few pictures. They're way to expensive to order....I'll look harder! Lol I just can't chip out that kind of money for bugs that I know I can find. Being once I find where to look for them. I definitely agree that wild caught insects are the best. The variety of their diet is huge. Well, 2 a.m. and I drank nearly an entire 2 litter of Mountain Dew. Going back out for more bugs I suppose lol
 
Well I went back out. Searched up and down on rose bushes. Nada. Screw stick bugs, who needs those stupid things anyways! I have mantises to comfort me for my losses now.
 

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Easiest to find stick bugs at night with a high powered flash light.. They feed at night time.. During the day they are doing their best stick impressions.. Also this time of year a lot are still smaller and harder to find.. Come fall they are good size and easier to see. Or you could take the easy route and buy some from Nick barta lol
 
Easiest to find stick bugs at night with a high powered flash light.. They feed at night time.. During the day they are doing their best stick impressions.. Also this time of year a lot are still smaller and harder to find.. Come fall they are good size and easier to see. Or you could take the easy route and buy some from Nick barta lol
I know they're nocturnal and everything. I get all of that. Thats why I was out at 2 a.m. lol I just haven't seen any yet. Nope! That's to much money for a bug. Especially when I know I can eventually start finding and catching them myself. If I buy so, I'll be bored as hell come 2 a.m.! Lmao
Too funny!! :giggle:
It wasn't my wisest choice man :D
 
I really want to re-name this thread...

"Chronicles of the Unsuccessful Stick Bug Hunter"

I hope the video comes out soon!

This is very entertaining :D;).

Good luck in your crusade, my friend. Good luck :coffee:.
 
I have thought of going out at my parents (they live in the country) to catch a praying mantis or two for Pickles. Do they not attack the cham when they're being eaten though? I know I had one of those latch on and bite me once and it was PAINFUL. That's stopped me from giving her any up to this point.
 
I really want to re-name this thread...

"Chronicles of the Unsuccessful Stick Bug Hunter"

I hope the video comes out soon!

This is very entertaining :D;).

Good luck in your crusade, my friend. Good luck :coffee:.
Do it! I'm a horrible stick bug hunter. I'd die if my life depended on it. Those darn bugs hide soooo well. Lol


Chapter Two: Last night Carolina, Chinese, and European Mantises were found. Three species in night! So you know what?! I'm content. Screw them stupid stick bugs! :ROFLMAO:
 
I have thought of going out at my parents (they live in the country) to catch a praying mantis or two for Pickles. Do they not attack the cham when they're being eaten though? I know I had one of those latch on and bite me once and it was PAINFUL. That's stopped me from giving her any up to this point.
You can snip their claws off if you want. My guy is such an aggressive eater that I don't worry about it
 
Chapter Two: Last night Carolina, Chinese, and European Mantises were found. Three species in night! So you know what?! I'm content. Screw them stupid stick bugs! :ROFLMAO:

Was there another 2L bottle of Mountain Dew sacrificed before the excursion??
 
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