Vestria diademata

Common name / Origin French Guyana Adult size Females: up to 5 cm Males: 4 to 4.5 cm Temperature & humidity requirements 22 to 28 °C 70 to 80% humidity Feeding source Not as strongly predatory as some other katydids, but still requires suitable live prey Accepts crickets, red runner roaches and similar prey items Additional foods: aquarium fish flakes, apple, zucchini, banana, mango (always pesticide free) Best results when offering both prey and soft fruit Housing requirements Plastic or glass terrarium with a well-ventilated lid Best substrates: coconut fiber or sphagnum moss This species hides under leaves of plants such as Pothos, so provide a live or artificial plant Requires high humidity combined with good ventilation Mist every 2 days with chlorine-free water at dusk Breeding guidelines Both sexes should be well fed to avoid cannibalism and should be at least 3–4 weeks into adulthood House the adult pair in a well-planted terrarium (not a cage) with plenty of food available Females lay eggs on humid peat moss blocks, wood or humid floral foam (best success reported with floral foam) Females bite the foam before laying eggs – bite marks confirm oviposition Egg laying and mating occur mostly at night, so provide a proper dark period Eggs hatch in 10 to 11 weeks Nymphs can be kept in groups up to L2 stage, but should be separated later to avoid cannibalism Young nymphs, especially L1–L2, need frequent misting – every evening is ideal Egg incubation guidelines Eggs laid in host plants can be left there to hatch naturally If eggs are purchased or removed, follow this procedure: Use a plastic container with a perforated lid (not too many holes, to avoid losing humidity too quickly). Place 2–3 layers of kitchen paper towel at the bottom, mist until evenly moist (not soaked). Check every 2 days to ensure the paper remains moist but not dried out. Replace paper towels weekly to prevent mold or bacterial growth