The Phasmid Study Group CHAIRMAN: Judith Marshall Dept. of Entomology, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD. (Tel: 0171 938 9344 ; FAX 0171 938 8937) TREASURER/MEMBERSHIP: Pan! Brock. "Papillon", 40 Thorn dike Road, Slough, Berks. SL2 1SR (Tel: 01753 579447) SECRETARY: Phil Bragg. 51 Longfield Lane, Ilkeston. Derbyshire, DE7 4DX. (Tel: 0115 9305010)
JUNE 1997 NEWSLETTER No 71 ISSN 0268-3806
DIARY DATES 1997 JULY 12th. WEST OF ENGLAND CREEPY CRAWLY SHOW Newton Abbot Racecourse, Devon. (This was originally booked on the 19th July, so please note the new date) JULY 13th. BIRMINGHAM REPTILE, AMPHIBIAN & TARANTULA SHOW. Colmers Farm Leisure Centre, Bristol Road South, Rednal, Birmingham. (The venue is on the A38, 5 mins. from Junction 4 off the M5 or 10 mins. walk from Longbridge railway station. The No 63 bus from Birmingham City centre stops outside) JULY 26th. THE PHASMID STUDY GROUP Summer Meeting The Natural History Museum, South Kensington, London. AUGUST 10th THE EAST LONDON & ESSEX REPTILE & AMPHIBIAN FAYRE The Goresbrook Leisure Centre, Ripple Road (A13), Dagenham, Essex. SEPTEMBER 13th - 14th COUNTRYSIDE CAVALCADE The Bath and West Showground, Shepton Mallett. (We shall be having a display with many types of insects, including promoting the PSG on the 14th, which is the Sunday. This show is a very interesting one and if you would like to help, please contact the Editor or James & Nichola Waddicor on 01793 877617) OCTOBER 26th - 30th 7th INTERNATIONAL MEETING OF THE ORTHOPTERISTS' SOCIETY. Cairns, Australia, (see March Newsletter for more details) 71:2
DECEMBER 7th MIDLANDS ENTOMOLOGICAL FAIR The Kettering Leisure Village Arena
(This is the new venue for the Midlands Entomological Fair, following the closure of Granby Halls. There is easy access and ample on site parking. A detailed map and instructions on reaching the new venue will be published in the September Newsletter.)
1998
JANUARY 24th. THE PHASMD3 STUDY GROUP A.G.M.
The Natural History Museum, South Kensington, London.
MARCH 2nd MIDLANDS ENTOMOLOGICAL FAIR
The Kettering Leisure Village Arena
DECEMBER 6th MIDLANDS ENTOMOLOGICAL FAH*
The Kettering Leisure Village Arena
The Phasmid Study Group has been invited to exhibit at all the above Shows. If you would like to help run our stand, please contact the member named or Paul Jennings at 89 Brackensdale Avenue, Derby, DE22 4AF, Tel: 01332 343477. If members are willing to run a stand at shows not mentioned here, please contact the Editor with dates, or if you have missed a Newsletter, a write up of how you got on. If you require Membership Forms these are available from the Editor.
EXHIBITIONS & MEETINGS REPORT
Tree Climbing lobsters at Sheffield Museum Wayne N Gilbert
Last November I was asked if I would take some animals to Sheffield Museums Wildlife Funday. So by the time that day came I had enlisted the help of INVERT, a Sheffield based group that have public awareness about exotic species and their upkeep high on their agenda. Armed with PSG literature and a vast array of animals, from Phasmids to snakes and lizards, I set off knowing that as well as really intelligent questions, I would also have to answer some of the silly questions that the general public come up with. I would need a calculator to work out how many people asked me if the harmless corn snakes were venomous, but the prize went to the lady who said "I didn't know that scorpions climbed trees". After pointing out that they were not scorpions, she then turned to the adult female Macleay's Spectres, munching away quite happily on the bramble in their tank, and said "oooh are they Lobsters then!"
All in all it was a very good day, and as we had a good number of people through the doors, we found ourselves to be quite busy. Hopefully we put a few people straight about the keeping of these fascinating animals.
If anybody is interested in joining INVERT, or would like more information, please contact Nick Goddard on 0114 2446776. 71:3
THEY'RE NOT EXACTLY CUDDLY, BUT SOME PEOPLE LOVE THEM
Nice really: One of the visitors to Sheffield's and stick insects. Organiser Lucy Heath said: City Museum, Alexander McKay, eight, of "These creatures have had a bad press. We Dore, Sheffield, enjoys meeting a Macleay's hope to show that, although they aren't Spectre stick insect. The theme of the Wildlife exactly cuddly, they have their good points Fun event was "Flight and Fright", and the to". stars of the show were bats, snakes, spiders Picture: Chris Lawton. Yorkshire Post, May 12th (The Phasmid Study Group wishes to thank the Yorkshire Post for allowing us to use the above picture and article) 71:4
Spring, Midlands Entomological Show, Granbv Halls, Leicester. Paul Jennings *
This was held on Sunday 23rd March and as usual the PSG featured at this popular, twice yearly, event. The exhibit, covering two tables, consisted of a display of phasmids (live and preserved) and photographs. Also on offer was the club merchandise and free livestock.
This was the last entomological fair to be held at the Granby Halls, which will shortly be demolished. The new venue for this event will be in Kettering (see diary dates) and has the benefits of being modem, having easy access and parking for hundreds of cars. So no excuses, there is an even better reason to come next time.
British Tarantula Show, Wednesburv Paul Taylor
Again this is another very popular show, and this time we went a little more prepared than last year. Phil Bragg who came and helped me, brought along some preserved specimens, and I took the livestock, and along with our other helpers, Ashley Brandon and his mom and dad we quickly set up our stand, which was shared with the Mantis Group and the Blattodea Group. Certainly a lot of interest was shown, and numerous membership forms were taken, as well as recruiting at the show.
This is a show well worth going, to especially if your interests cover spiders as well as insects.
ACTIVITIES FOR FUTURE P.S.G MEETINGS
Exhibition and Meetings Officer - Paul Jennings
I urgently require offers from members wishing to give a talk on a Phasmid related topic at future meetings. Examples of previous talks include: Painting Wildlife in Water-colours, Phasmid Taxonomy, Slide Shows and Photography of Phasmids.
Ideally we like to have two talks per meeting, each one lasting for approximately 30 to 45 minutes. Anyone wishing to give a talk should contact me A.S.A.P. on 01332 343477 or by post: 89 Brackensdale Ave., Kingsway, Derby, DE22 4AF.
I await your offers!
Addition to the PSG Culture list Phil Bragg.
PSG 185. This is a sexually reproducing culture of Menexenus or Neohirasea from Thailand. Foodplants include bramble, euphorbia, ivy, and raspberry. I am still investigating the origin of this culture. This species appears to be easy to rear and several members have cultures. I have not yet examined adults so have not identified them; the nymphs and eggs are similar to PSG 173. 71:5
EXPEDITION AND MEETINGS QUESTIONNAIRE RETURNS. Phil Bragg The questionnaire received the usual apathetic response I've come to expect from PSG members. 51 forms were returned before the AGM, eight more were returned in the following few weeks; this represents about 6% of the membership. Expedition returns 42 people expressed interest in an anniversary expedition, six of these are currently under 17 years of age. Most people indicated no particular preference for the destination but New Guinea appears to be the most popular, and Australia the least popular. Stated preferences for the duration ranged from 2-6 weeks with 2-3 weeks being the most popular Since there is clearly enough interest to make an expedition viable, those who are interested should start saving their pennies, Pfennigs, cents, etc. Two-day meeting 50 expressed an interest in attending a two-day meeting Of these, 24 do not normally attend PSG meetings and 9 of these 24 live outside the UK. All 50 indicated they would be willing to contribute up to £5.00 to the cost of the venue and all (except one "no preference") indicated a preference for a meeting combined with the cockroach and mantis groups. Few people suggested specific venues which were viable: Aylesbury Civic Centre, Kempton Park Racecourse, The Royal Entomological Society, Baden Powell House, and Wolverhampton University; other suggestions were too vague ("a school in north London") or not very accessible (March); Australia was also suggested! Adrian Durkin kindly obtained details for Wolverhampton University: this would cost about £80 per person (2 nights, half board) and include use of the facilities for the meeting; however this assumes a minimum of about 100 people which is clearly not likely.
A number of comments were made in the last Newsletter by Michael Lazenby & Frances Holloway. That they are not interested in a two-day meeting I can accept. What I find disturbing is that they appear to be trying to prevent such a meeting being offered to those who are interested.
COMMENTS RECEIVED ON PREVIOUS NEWSLETTER ARTICLES Sticks everywhere Comment by Michael Lazenby and Frances Holloway Under this title, Stan Pack, in the March 1997 Newsletter (70:7) states that he has put C. morosus nymphs out on a privet hedge over winter. We would just like to point out that, apart from being unkind in the cold, this is also illegal since C. morosus is not native to the U.K. 71:6
Sale of Stick Insects Editor
A number of members have approached me on this subject, which appears to be a very emotive subject, to say the least. Many members have shown a desire to express their opinion, but are reluctant to do so for fear of the consequences. Some members have expressed concern at the amount of space taken up by certain articles in the last Newsletter. As Editor of the Newsletter I shall remain neutral over the suggestions put forward and any arguments on these matters are equally welcome. Below are two comments that have so far been received.
Stick Insect sales Peter Vice
I believe that the well being of our captive bred stick insects is of the most utmost concern, and surely the most central part of the Ethos of the PSG, as I understand it. However, I do not understand why all traders/dealers or anyone wishing to expand their hobby in that direction should be thought of as villains, who care for nothing except profit. Equally, not all recipients of free or purchased stock become good, caring keepers. Doubtless there are some that put their own convenience first, but I would not have thought that of any dealers would wish for PSG membership.
Might it not be in the best interest of the insects, personal opinions aside, to encourage PSG membership amongst dealers of phasmids, keeping them a part of a body of people who's main concern is the well-being of the insects concerned.
Stick Insect sales Alan Barrie and Paul Timinony
Because we were given the stick insects in the first place, we should only really study them and not profit from them. We should remember that they are living creatures and for that reason we should respect them.
Phil does have a point in that you should be able to sell them when stocks become to high and space is not available. We should be able to sell them to caring owners, the money being used for the PSG funds. We could give surplus stock to zoos, butterfly houses, field study centres and schools as the public will benefit from this, and respect and learn more about insects, and you never know, some might go as far as joining the PSG.
We have seen pet shops feeding stick insects on dried cabbage. We have had to advise one professional pet shop what to feed the stick insects on.
PSG MERCHANDISE
Pens & Car Window stickers are now available.
Prices are as follows:-
Pens 40p each + p & p
Car Window Stickers 60p each + p & p.
(p & p - UK mainland 25p; Overseas 40p) Please send your order to: James Waddicor, 3 Squires Copse, Peatmoor, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN5 5HB, England, (cheques should be made payable to "The Phasmid Study Group") 71:7
CAPTIVE CONSERVATION OF ENDANGERED INVERTEBRATES A call for papers and preliminary announcement.
With an ever increasing risk of endangered invertebrates, the Federation of Zoos has set up a working group called the "Terrestrial invertebrate taxon advisory group" (Titag) to co-ordinate its work on conservation. However, there is far more work than can be done within zoos and it is inevitable that the contribution of amateur entomologists will become critical in years to come. With this in mind Titag is organising a conference in March of 1998 to discuss problems of invertebrate conservation and specific species recovery projects. The date has not been finalised although it will be a Saturday, but the venue will be London Zoo. If anyone would like to be involved in the conference as a potential speaker could they contact the Editor. Full details of the meeting will be available in future Newsletters.
CLICK INSECT Peter Vice
I have recently reared a colony of Eurycantha coriacea. To my suprise I have found one of my females, newly adult and as yet unmated, making fairly loud clicking noises. She uses her mouth-parts to produce a click in a similar fashion to a person finger snapping. After a few days the simple clicks had developed into a short rasping "tcht" with a high pitched element, sounding rather like a cricket. She clicks away for hours on end most nights now, with only short pauses for snacks.
Phvllium sp. AND AIR MOVEMENT Roger Reeve
In the December Newsletter (No 69), there was an article by Christoph Seiler about keeping and breeding leaf insects, Phyllium bioculatum and giganteum. In it he stresses the importance of "wind" in the cage environment and how he introduced it to his insects. As far as I was concerned, this was the "missing piece to the jigsaw" that I required to successfully breed Phyllium species. Thanks, Christoph.
Until now, over a two year period, at least 25% of all hatchlings died before turning green, despite my best efforts with temperature, light and humidity. I would find their sad little bodies on the floor of the cage in the evening when they had been feeding and active in the morning. Not any more!!! After reading Christoph's article I immediately suspended a weak electric fan (4 inches in diameter) about 12 inches above my nymph emerging cages. The fan is a Remington Filter (for cleaning cigarette smoke from the room air in the home). I removed the filter from the base and the diftuser from the top and suspended it upside down. It is wired to blow whenever the heater for the shed is switched on by its thermostat. The heat rises to the roof and is pulled across and gently blown down on the cages. The Phyllium or PSG 10 immediately rush to the top of the cages and start rocking in the moving air as Christoph described, and only stop when the fan goes off. This is repeated approximately every half hour, day and night. I spray a fine mist during a blow once in the morning and once in the evening daily. I have not lost one insect since I fitted the fan. I observe that they start feeding sooner after hatching that before, and are much more active and generally healthier looking.
Finally the nymphs of other species, i.e. PSG 61, 38, 157, 2, 9, whose cages are grouped around the Phyllium cages, also react by rocking when the fan blows. Obviously this condition needs continual monitoring, and I hope to write later in the year with more information. 71:8
SPIRAL ABERRATION IN Phvllium EGGS Dr John Sellick
Christoph Seiler has sent me a series of eggs of Phyllium bioculatum in which the ventral ribs instead of running longitudinally appear to run transversely. These were all laid by one female held in culture by Friedhelm Kirsten. By comparing specimens it can be seen that the transverse version (figs. 2: C,D) is an extreme form of a spiral aberration (figs. 2: A,B). I had previously seen a similar aberration in an egg of Phyllium scythe (figs. 2: E,F). In this case the operculum has been lost, but it is clear that the egg has not hatched since the contents remain in the egg capsule. I suspect that this series of aberrations is not viable. Other P. scythe eggs in the same batch were so badly deformed that it was impossible to trace the ribs or locate a micropylar plate.
In both species the pits of the dorsal surface are reduced, whilst those of the ventro-lateral surfaces are extensive. P. bioculatum usually has 9-13 dorsal pits and 6 - 12 on each of the other faces, whilst P. scythe has 10 - 12 and 8-13 respectively. Whilst aberrations of various types are common in phasmid eggs, this is the only genus in which I have seen this spiral form. All forms of aberrations that I have seen have come from cultures. It would be interesting to know if anyone has any record of egg aberrations occurring in the wild.
SPRING 1997 CENSUS RETURNS James Waddicor
A total of 99 members completed and returned the census return. 950 culture were reported which gives an average of 10 cultures per member. The commonest species kept are presently PSG 118 - Aretaon asperrimus (49 cultures), PSG 9 - Extatosoma tiaratum (47 cultures), PSG 1 - Carausius morosus (44 cultures) and PSG 18 - Heteropteryx dilatata (40 cultures).
Some species that were once common among the Group have now become extremely scarce, for example none of the 98 members that took part reported keeping PSG 31 - Creoxylus spinosus (Trinidad Log). Other species that have apparently been lost since last years census are PSG No's 58, 66, 86, 94, 92, 102, 133, 142, 147, 156, 170, 176, 178 (although with only approx. 20% of members returning the census the picture may not be as serious as indicated). The most sought after species, not surprisingly - Heteropteryx dilatata, Orxines macklottii and Dares ulula.
Many thanks to everyone who took part.
Mantids Are you interested in the studying and/or rearing of Mantids? If so, why not join The Mantid Study Group. Newsletters are produced every three months containing a variety of articles, and an emphasis on captive breeding.
For more information contact the Membership Secretary: Paul Taylor, 24 Forge Road, Shustoke, Coleshill, Birmingham, B46 2AU, U.K.
(: 01675 481578. E-Mail. [email protected] 71:9
Figure 2: Aberrant forms of Phy Ilium eggs. A - D P. bioculatum, E - F P. scythe. AC,E dorsal views, B,D,F ventral views. 71:10
CENSUS RETURN - SPRINC5 1997 PSG non PSG non No. establishec establishec surplus wanted No. establishec establishec surplus wanted 1 4 40 17 1 104 7 12 6 3 3 10 10 5 7 1 1 2 105 t 3 1 5 1 2 107 2 2 1 1 4 2 25 11 5 108 2 3 2 5 5 14 8 1 109 2 1 1 6 1 4 110 3 3 6 7 2 111 4 11 1 3 9 19 28 9 8 112 6 8 3 Ai^t-ller'i 10 12 7 3 113 1 3 1 12 2 1 6 115 2 13 4 4 2 5 116 3 1 14 3 117 1 1 11 15 3 2 118 11 38 17 3 16 2 1 4 119 2 2 1 1 1 17 3 2 1 120 3 18 21 19 4 1 1 121 1 19 3 3 2 122 2 6 3 1 20 1 123 1 21 1 125 8 8 1 7 22 3 15 4 126 7 13 1 6 23 9 23 9 5 127 4 1 6 25 3 8 2 3 128 1 2 3 26 6 4 7 129 1 28 1 3 130 1 29 1 3 133 9 30 5 1 137 1 31 6 138 3 1 1 32 8 7 1 1 141 2 1 33 1 142 1 34 1 143 1 4 35 2 1 6 144 2 15 9 37 1 5 2 1 145 4 7 2 1 38 3 5 2 5 146 1 5 44 9 9 4 1 147 2 1 45 1 5 2 2 148 ! 2 2 1 47 1 1 149 1 1 5 48 2 4 2 3 150 1 1 4 51 1 152 2 2 2 1 52 1 6 153 2 1 1 55 3 3 1 1 154 4 1 7 59 1 1 155 5 2 60 1 2 156 2 61 2 6 4 1 157 4 6 3 66 3 158 3 2 67 3 6 2 3 159 1 2 1 69 9 3 5 160 3 2 1 3 70 4 1 4 161 1 71 1 162 10 10 2 72 3 2 8 163 2 16 5 2 73 4 7 2 4 164 1 4 1 76 3 165 2 2 5 80 3 166 2 81 2 167 3 4 82 3 3 9 168 1 1 83 1 169 1 3 1 P FOODPLANTS FOR Acrophvlla titan Allan Harman has reported that Acrophylla titan will take both Hazelnut and Hornbeam as a foodplant. C.B.G Coleoptera Breeding Group Are you interested in studying and/or rearing beetles? If so, why not join the Coleoptera Breeding Group. Newsletters (in English language) which are in a similar style to "Phasmid Studies" are produced every two months, depending on the variety of articles. The group is organised in a very similar way to the PSG. For more information contact: Frank Hennemann, Gartenstrasse 14, 67098 Bad Durkheim, Germany^ 71:12 WANTS & EXCHANGE Wanted: Ova of the following PSGNo's: 29, 38, 117, 119, 127, 138. I have surplus ova of PSG 36, 84 and 100 Please contact Jens-Uwe Stielau, Waldsassener Str 4, 12279 Berlin, Germany. Tel: 0 30 7 11 63 46 I have surplus Extatosoma tiaratum nymphs. Contact Peter Vice, 85 Richmond Rd., Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 4DL. Tel: 01473 405865 Wanted: ova of the following species: PSGNo's 2, 10, 13, 31, 72, 85, 116, 150. Please contact Iain P. Hunt, 85 Chatham Road, Hartlepool, TS24 8QH. Tel: 01429 222144. "T - SHIRTS" "T - Shirts with the design of Oreophoetesperuana, Aretaon asperrimus and Heteropteryx dilatata are now available from The Editor, Paul Taylor (address at end of Newsletter). Sizes available are Medium {Heteropteryx only) Large and Extra Large, and the cost, still only £5.00 plus p&p. (UK mainland £1.00 p&p; Overseas £1.50 p&p) Cheques should be made payable to "The Phasmid Study Group" and don't forget to state your size, name and address and which "T - shirt" Oreophoetes peruana, Aretaon asperrimus or Heteropteryx dilatata. NEXT NEWSLETTER Please send all contributions to the Editor: - Paul Taylor, 24 Forge Road, Shustoke, Coleshill, Birmingham, B46 2AU. England. Tel: 01675 481578. to reach me by 1st August 1997 or preferably earlier Contributions can be accepted in the following forms: a. Hand-written. b. Typed c. On IBM compatible computer disk providing it is sent on a 3.5" double or high density disk. Files can be accepted as Dos Text, Microsoft Wordfor Windows, Microsoft Works or as ASCII files. E-Mail: [email protected] All contributions to the Newsletter will be deemed to be submitted to the French GEP Le Monde des Phasmes, the Belgian-Dutch Phasma and the German Arthropoda for translation. NOTICE It is to be directly understood that all views, opinions or theories, expressed in the pages of "The Newsletter" are those of the author(s) concerned. All announcements of meetings, requests for help or information, are accepted as bona fide. Neither the Editor, nor Officers of "The Phasmid Study Group", can be held responsible for any loss, embarrassment or injury that might be sustained by reliance thereon. "The Phasmid Study Group"