The Phasmid Study Group
CHAIRMAN: Judith Marshall. Dept of Entomology, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD. (Tel: 020 7942 5610; FAX 020 7942 5229) E-mail: [email protected].
TREASURER/MEMBERSHIP: Paul Brock. "Papillon", 40 Thomdike Road, Slough, Berks. SL2 1SR. (Tel: 01753 579447)
E-mail: Not currently available on e-mail
SECRETARY: Phil Bragg. 8 The Lane, Awsworth, Nottinghamshire, NG16 2QP. (Tel: (1115 9305010). JUNE 2002 NEWSLETTER No 91 ISSN 0268-3806
FemalezyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA Graeffea crouanii (from Brunner 1868) Picture provided by Paul Brock
Newsletter 91.1 Diary Dates
2001
June 2nd; 3pm Nature Matters Event, Birmingham Nature Centre, Pershore Road, Birmingham (No other details available).
The June West of England Creepy Crawley Show has been cancelled this year.
July 13th; 11.30 am PSG Summer Meeting, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London. (See yellow sheet at back)
August I8th Conservation Summer, "Creepy Crawly Day". Colchester Zoo, Maldon Road, Stanway, Colchester, Essex, C03 5SL. Tel: 01206 331292. Website: www.colchester-200.co.uk.
September (Date to be advised) The first Lincoln Invert Show. North Hykeham Sports Centre. Jim Heather Tel: 01522 501241 or 07719 688421. E-mail: [email protected].
Please check with the organisers that shows are still on, & at times shown, before setting out, the PSG cannot be responsible for a wasted journey.
The above details are the only ones I'm aware of at present, but please do check our web page for further information: DO NOT use any other PSG site, just turn to our exciting new one - the only official PSG site: www.stickinsect. org. uk.
HF YQU ARE AWARE OF ANY AD.OmOIMAL SHOVVTS. jisiv?ot-VHi*f<5 RH/vsfvnos, OR OTHER JISTSEQTS, SRJOERS;, ETC, HQWPVER BH<5 OR SlVfAi.1- THE SHOW, PLEASE pAfSJS THE p>ETA*LS OlSf TO THE EDUTQR.
The Phasmid Study Group is invited to exhibit at some shows. If you would like to help run our stand, please contact the member named, or Paul Jennings, our Exhibitions and Meeting Officer: 89 Brackensdale Avenue, Derby, DE22 4AF, Tel: 01332 343477.
IF YOU ATTEND THESE OR OTHER SHOWS, PLEASE SEND IN A REVIEW FOR THE NEWSLETTER.
Newsletter 91.2 Editorial
Welcome to the June PSG Newsletter.
I have had to put this Newsletter together with greater time constraints than usual, due to my college exams rearing their ugly head. My apologies to Judith, who proof- reads my final draft copy, and who must have had writer's cramp with all the typos she spotted! The next Newsletter should have my undivided attention. If any readers are if also taking exams about now, please accept my best wishes for every success with them. \
Phasmids can be colourful creatures, and sometimes the black and white pictures in the Newsletter do not do them justice. I will try to specify in the articles whether the pictures are available on a web site, if so you can take the opportunity to see them in their colourful glory. (The Newsletter's reproduction methods lose virtually no detail in the pictures I receive; poor quality pictures in the Newsletter are usually due to a poor source, or because the colours do not transfer well to black and white).
Paul Taylor's official PSG Website www.stickinsect.org.uk continues to go from strength to strength. (Any other "PSG" site may be out of date, this is the only official one). In particular, the Forum page is now very lively, though it is mainly used for "wants & exchanges". Articles, ideas, etc, for the website, should be e-mailed to Paul (e-mail [email protected]).
Remember the PSG Summer Meeting is to be held on the 13th July, at the Natural History Museum. See the yellow page at the back of this Newsletter for details, and access. The theme for the day is Bacilum sp, please bring along specimens, photos, etc, of this species in particular; but also of anything else you think would interest our members. If you would like to give a presentation/slide show at one of our meetings, please contact Paul Jennings, our Exhibition & Meetings Officer, 89 Brackensdale Avenue, Derby, DE22 4AF. Tel: 01332 343477. Full details of all the PSG Committee Members are on page 23.
Finally, I have included an article on page 18 on a new order of insect. These were discovered by a research group which included our PSG members Phil Bragg, and in particular Oliver Zompro, who is shown as the discoverer of the species. Well done to both.
MIKE SMITH
REQUEST FOR ARTI CLES. ETC FOR THE PSG NEWSLETTER
Please send me your articles, reviews on shows and meetings, wants & exchanges, drawings, photos, phasmid problems, answers to problems, crosswords, quizzes, puzzles, comments, web site details, etc, etc. My details are at the back of each Newsletter. Also send me your ideas or comments on the Newsletters. Many thanks. Edit or.
Newsletter 91.3 Tessellated Phasmatid Ctenomorphodes tessulata
(This is the last planned article in the trilogy of very excellent items from Peter Chew's website www.geocities.com/pchew_brisbane. Many thanks to Peter for his kind permission to reproduce and edit his website items for the PSG Newsletter. Also, my thanks to Paul Brock, for drawing attention to the website in the first place).
Tessellated Phasmatid Ctenomorphodes tessulata, female. Body length 140mm.
The female and male Tessulata Stick | Insects look slightly different.
The females are larger in size. On its small head there are two big compound eyes, and antennae about 20mm in length; shorter than the male. The thorax is 30mm long, and with some black dots. Tegmina, or the forewings, are 15mm long. Hind wings, at 30mm long, cover two and a half abdominal segments. All six legs are spiny. There are ten segments easily seen on its abdomen. On its end are two, leaf-like cerci about 10mm long. We have found four females so far, they vary in colour, from brown to pale green. However, the Tegmina are always in brown colour.
2:1 The Picture Tessellated Phasmatid Ctenomorphodes tessulata, male.
ShOWS the Body length 80mm N?:j male tessulata which we found on our windows 1 outside, entangled in a spider's web. Showing that it may be attracted by light in the windows. It was dead when we unloaded it from the web, and one of its first legs was missing. The males are smaller in size than the female. However its antenna and hind wings are longer, with the antenna 35mm, and hind wings 40mm long. Tegmina, or the forewings, are 10mm long. Its thorax is 15mm, and the ten segmented abdomen is 60mm long. It has two rows of black dots on it thorax. Its front legs have no spines, while all four hind legs are spiny. On the end, there are two leaf-like cerci about 10mm long. We have found three males so far and all are the same colour.
Newsletter 91.4 Their Eggs
Eggs are 3mm long, and dark brown to black in colour. The stick insects drop the eggs to ground during summer.
CM1
Their Habitat
Tessellated Phasmatid mainly feed on eucalyptus, but also adapt to other trees. Most species of stick insects usually are low in population, but this species is known to occur in plague proportions from time to time.
Male, body length 80mm m
We found this male stick insect in Moreton Island in mid summer. They fly actively and we found some of them flying to the window light. They are brown in colour with two lines of fine small black dots on their thorax. Their bodies are slender, and short forewings cover the base of their hind wings.
Newsletter 91.5 We found this green Stick Insect while bush-walking in Mansfield bush land, along the Bulimba Creek. It was two days after a heavy rain storm. The stick insect was actively moving so we could see it easily. The time was about 5:00pm. We then picked up a branch, let the insect climb onto it, and then brought it home to study it. The Stick Insect is grass-green in colour, with brownish-green forewings. Its forewings are small, about 10mm in length, and cover only part of its hind wings. Its hind wings are 25mm in length, and cover half of its abdomen. Its front right leg was missing. Its antenna is comparatively short, about 20mm. It feed on the gum tree leaf, but it did not eat a lot. It died after six days. It laid 16 eggs during the days we kept it. Its eggs are black in colour, with a plug, and look like seeds.
Female, body length 150mm
This brown Stick Insect was zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
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* 1 * ' ' Wishart. The Stick Insect is grayish-brown in colour, with brown bark like markings on its forewings and abdomen. It seems to resemble eucalyptus stems and twigs. Its forewings are small, about 10mm in length and cover only part of its hind wings. Its hind wing is 25mm in length, and cover half of its abdomen. Its antenna is comparatively short, about 20mm. Its body shape is the same as the green Stick Insect (see above) but with stronger legs. There are some black dots disturbuted on it long thorax. Although we have some experience in keeping Stick Insects, it died three days after we brought it home. Within those days it laid 36 eggs. Its eggs, similar to the green Stick Insect, are black in colour, with a plug, and look like seeds.
Newsletter 91.6 Mating
We found this mating couple on a eucalyptus tree trunk, 0.5 meter above ground. It was May 2001, and was the early winter in Brisbane. We let them climb onto a stick and took them home for study. They remained in the mating position for a few hours. The male stick insect died two days later. The female laid 150 eggs within a week and then died as well.
The Instars
1st instars, 14mm.
The nymphs are 13-15mm in body length. They are very active, walking around, up and down in the breeding tank. When at rest, they like to rest on the top of the tank, or on the bright side of the tank. They look exactly as their mothers except they are wingless and have very short antenna. They sit like their mother does too.
2nd instars, 20mm
Not much different from the 1st instars expect a little bit larger.
Tessellated Phasmatids usually live on the top of trees, so why we can find them near the ground?
Newsletter 91.7 Female Tessellated Phasmatids vary in colour from brown to pale green. They should live high on trees, but we found them all near the ground, either in the bush or on the tree trunk.
When we brought them home, they all laid eggs in the first day.
We read in reference books that these stick insects usually live on the tops of trees. After storms, some of them may fall to the ground, so that is why we occasionally find them near the ground. There seems to be no other reason that they should leave the tree top and go down to the ground. From our experience, we found five female Tessellated Phasmatid during the summer season in 2001. Two of them were in the lower plants, under large gum trees. Three of them were resting on tree trunks and trying to climb back to the top. We found only one female stick insect two days after heavy rainfall. All the others were found without any bad weather. (Since in Brisbane we usually have good weather, bad weather days are easily remembered.) It seems then that they are not necessarily falling to the ground because of bad weather.
We had taken four of them back home to study. All four female stick insects laid some eggs during this time. Some of them died within a few days. So I think the stick insects went down to some good locations to lay their eggs. To prove that we should try to find out what is the favourable site for stick insects to lay their eggs. Those sites could be the wet soil with young trees and new plants. We should try to find out if the Tessellated Phasmatid comes down in the wild and looks for a place for laying eggs, instead of just dropping their eggs from the tree.
Going down from the tree may increase their chances of being prey, it could be worth while to do that if this increases the hatching chances of their offspring. Apparently, they will die after laying eggs anyway. This can also explain why we seldom see the nymph Tessellated Phasmatid in the wild, for they have no need to take the risk to come down. FOOTNOTE: I am advised that the correct name is Ctenomorphodes tessulatus. As in PSG155, and in "Insects of Australia", pp. 402-3, CSIRO 1991.
Newsletter 91.8 WANTS zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBASk 0(Cli4NeES
Do not forget that your spare eggs should he sent to our Livestock Coordinator, Jan Fletcher. Also, any requests for eggs may go to Jan too: 125 Malvern Drive, North Common, Warmtey, Bristol, BS30 8UY, Tel; Q1179 604917, e-mail: [email protected].
IMPORTANT NOTICE to all PSG members: please do not respond to any requests for information or specimens from Gary Gilmore, PSG member 2338. This regrettable request concerns some behaviour unacceptable to the PSG. Contact Judith Marshall, Chairman, PSG, with any queries or complaints regarding this matter.
HOME REQUIRED:- I have 2 adult male (freshly moulted) Neohirasea maerens that need a caring home (and a couple of females for company!!). P&P to be paid. Natalie. E-mail [email protected].
WANTED:- I seek any Sipyloidea species, can you help please? Benjamin. E-mail [email protected]
WANTED:- Young male PSG214 Aplopus jamaicensis required, please - 3 females await! Ian. E-mail [email protected].
OUR LIVESTOCK COORDINATOR, Jan Fletcher, advises that she has a surplus of the following ova: PSG Nos 2, 4, 5, 9,19, 22, 38, 84, 99, 101, 118, 144, 163, 165, 173, 174, 189, 195, 208, 211, 214, 215, 220, 224, 226, & 230.
The following ova are wanted: PSG Nos 3, 15, 18, 21, 35, 45, 80, 81, 107, 108, 110, 117, 137, 172, 190, 199, 197,203, & Haameltas (any), Psylliums (any),
Jan also advises that members should not send nymphs to her without first contacting her, so appropriate arrangements can be made for their arrival. Ova, however, may be sent anytime, Jan's contact details are at the top of this page.
Newsletter 91.9 PffASMA zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA- THE BELGIAN-DUTCH NEWSLETTER
Tkis is tke last suitable article I liave from tke circa 19Q4 translations. No-one kas advised me tkat tkeu receive eitker tke Belgian-Dutck Pkasma, or tke German Artkropoda, and /or tkat tkeu can translate from Belgian- Dutck or German to Englisk. If anutking is eventually fortkcoming, additional articles mau ke included in future Newsletters.
Stick Insect Homes and Cagres by Kim D'Hulster
An ideal cage is big enough, well ventilated, easy to look in, and simple to clean. Dimensions: the height of the cage is minimum Zx the length of the adult insect, so that it can quietly peel off his skin and nothing bothers his development. I advise to take 3x the length of the insect.
Ventilation: a good air passage is necessary for a good ecdysis, and so the cage will not develop bad odours. There will also be less mould as the cage will not be too wet. A wet cage makes a stick insect's old skin gets too soggy, and it clings too the new one. Tiny nymphs can drown in too much water or even stay 'glued' to the walls. But pay attention not to create drafts, this will desiccate the skin and result in the insect not being able too leave his old skin!
A couple of ventilation openings covered with gauge (this can be aluminium or plastic) are necessary, the quantity of air can be regulated by covering the surfaces with transparent plastic fixed with tape or drawing-pins.
Observation: for a good sighting, transparent upper and front panels are necessary. Phasmids are normally already difficult to find, so must be observed from different sides; I believe we culture phasmids because we want to leam something about them!
Types of cages:
- cages can be made of nearly any kind of material. Aquariums, put on their side, the open end covered with gauge, will do it excellently (they even need not be watertight! Big candy bottles with a few openings in the lid are good for nymphs and the smaller adults.
- carton boxes with air openings and plastic or gauze lids can serve, but they are not ideal long-term at all. I suggest you only use them only as temporary homes; transfer the phasmids as soon as possible to a real home!
- very simple to make is a wooden frame, covered with gauze, and having a plastic or plexi front. Sometimes you will have to cover the gauze with plastic to keep the humidity high enough for certain species or to regulate the ventilation.
Newsletter 91.10 Examples of cages:
- plastic bottle (halved plastic coke bottle) - plastic aquaria - sophisticated cages (plastic or aluminium frame with glass walls, aluminium gauze with sliding doors and ventilation grooves) - fixed terraria. built in (brick walled with glass) - sheets of acrylic can be rolled to a cylindrical container and glued together - old television sets can sometimes be reconstructed to original cages (remove the electrical parts!) - some types of plant propagation trays mlake fine cages
Remarks: since glass cages need not be water tight, you can sometimes find, very cheaply, a leaking aquarium noone wants anymore: a cracked glass pane can be sealed with some silicone.
Closing the cage: a piece of gauze over a top opening can be fixed with an elastic (rubber band), or you could make a wooden frame that fits nicely over the top and is covered with gauze.
Remark: black gauze is better hlan white, you can see through it better.
Temperature: since most phasmids are tropical insects, we must keep them at least at room temperature i.e. 21 -Z5°c. The cage can placed in a heated place or be heated with lamps or special floor heat-mats. Never put a cage on a radiator or your central heating or in the 11.ill sun, you will for sure get over heating and lightly cooked eggs. Test the place also for drafts!
Cleaning: this can be made easier, if you pay attention when constructing the cage. Cleaning will be a job that is necessary, and must be repeated often! Always take out all dried leaves, and everything that has traces of mould.
The construction of a cage: the cage we propose has several merits: cheap, easy to construct and clean; good air ventilation (and indirectly humidity) can be regulated; and the cages can be stacked one on another. Personally I have some objections to using wood, since we keep our phasmids rather humid. Wood can start to deform, sometimes getting mouldy.
Removable front panels are better than hinged doors where insect legs get easily trapped. Once the front is removed you can easily replace the food inside, clean the cage, and sweep the floor if there is no peat layer to collect the eggs. Instead of glass for the front panel you could use also plexi glass. It is safer, but easily gets scratched; it will also have to be thick, otherwise it will start to bend. Wooden parts should be painted, it is easier to clean and it is less likely to rot or mould. Paint the parts before you start to build (in principle you will have to give several layers of paint). Ventilate the cage very well before you put in something living!
Furnishing and maintenance: take into account what type of food, how to place the food in the cage, what kind of stuff to put on the bottom of the cage, when to refresh and how? Can you cultivate several species together, should we take dimensions, species, food or other factors into account?
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Newsletter 91.11 A COMPARISON OF THE EFFECTS OF LEG DAMAGE IN PHASMIDS
By Stephen Lee Thomas
Two of the phasmid species I am keeping at the moment show widely varying reactions to leg injury. In the cage of a Haaniella Saussurei adult female, where part of the middle leg was "lost", the rest of the limb retained its usual range of movement.
In complete contrast to this, the rear leg of an adult Pharnacia sp became caught against the cage front which caused bleeding from the tarsi. A few days later the whole leg dropped off! (Possibly a delayed reaction?)
To escape predators etc, it is a useful ploy to be able to shed a limb which is not essential for survival: a stick insect can survive providing it has one leg on one side of the body, and two on the other, especially concerning ungainly species such as Pharnacia.
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SARAWAK STICK INSECTS by Peter Heusi
Last summer (22.8.01/6.9.01) I spent my holidays in Sarawak to experience the rain forest. Unfortunately I found it rather devoid of wild life, including phasmids, although we spent all the time, day and night there. However, on Darnai Beach, at the foot of Mt. Santubong, we found an Aretaon asperrimus (adult female), a Datames borneensis (2 sub-adult females), Hoploclonia gecko (2 adult males, 3 females), Epidares nolimetangere (several nymphs), Dinophasma guttigera (1 nymph), Phenacephorus auriculatus (?) (1 female nymph), and several stick-like nymphs of different species.
Outside Lundu, left of the street going to the Ocean Resort, we saw Epidares nolimetangere (1 adult female with forked spikes), and Lonchodes sp. (?) (1 adult pair). Finally, in the Forests around Batang Ai reservoir, Dares ulula (1 adult female), Sosibia sp (1 adult female), and Necroscia roseipennis (?) (several couples seen).
[Peter - considering it was "rather devoid of phasmids", you did very well!]
Newsletter 91.12 WHATEVER HAPPENED TO E T.?
Another good article by Cameron Die Konigin. (Not Korigin, as stated in the last issue — really sorry about that Cameron).
Introduction easy to keep (or so I thought) species, easily available, and no collection should be I can very easily remember my first without. Phasmid. I, like many of us, got my first stick insect from school The biology The troubles begin department had bred a very large number of Extatsoma tiaratum and was therefore in a I originally got some through the PSG good position to distribute them easily and exchange in London. There were only a quickly - to a keen group of pupils. couple of boxes of them on the table, and Although I had kept many 'creepy crawlies' they were very much in demand. These before, Twiggy (as I named my female) survived a while after my return home, became a much-coveted prize, although they never quite and from her alone I bred reached adulthood. The several successive generations. three specimens, two Over the following years, I saw males and one female, had them regularly for sale from difficulty in moulting and, many various outlets - pet as they got larger, they shops, specialist insect either lost or had suppliers, zoos and wildlife deformed limbs. One parks. As the years moved on I moult from adulthood and could no longer keep them, as the female and a male I spent much of my time died. This left me with travelling and studying and one male that achieved Phasmid keeping fell away final moult but was from being one of my past- obviously worthless for times. breeding purposes. This died soon after. A change happened a couple of years ago (I purchased a My first reaction was to house) and I was in a position to restart all wonder what I had done wrong. Previous my many and varied childhood passions, experiences had told me that this species one of which was Phasmids. I acquired was a quite straightforward one to keep. As some species and then heard about and no other species that I was keeping at the joined the PSG; that opened up a whole new time had demonstrated similar 'symptoms', range of Phasmids that I had never I therefore assumed it was something dreamed of. To begin with I kept a specific to this species. numerous range, which were housed in every conceivable container and I never got another chance to try them via accommodated in every room in the house. the PSG exchange, as there were quite As time passed, I streamlined my collection simply so few available - one or two boxes and concentrated my efforts on members of and that was all. Such was the demand for the Heteropteryginae. There was one them that one would have to be very lucky exception to this group that I still keep: to get another go. Extatsoma. I feel, and many would agree, that this is one of the most impressive, an
Newsletter 91.13 I decided to try other sources, even if it descended from a meant purchasing them, and this was no small number donated mean feat in itself. It seemed that not too by Oxford University, many places seemed to sell this species, and the school had although I did eventually source a supply. kept this stock These continue to do well, and have so far breeding amongst itself never exhibited the previously seen for quite a few years. symptoms. The chances were that all the small I did have a question in my mind - why populations around the were they not as commonly available as UK were undergoing the same development other species? During my search for a - descended from small populations which supply, I happened upon Virginia each in turn gave rise to further small Cheeseman's Website*, and under the FAQ populations. All along there would have page she explained that she did not sell been little or no mixing of stock to provide Extatsoma opportunities in outbreeding. In other words, the UK stock of Extatsoma was "as they appear to have become inbred, and the gradually being inbred. stock that is available is weak and difficult to rear. They nearly all die prematurely." (Quoted It is well known that inbreeding of animals with permission.) with a very small gene pool will lead to deformities, that can potentially be This gave me an inkling as to what may disastrous and can lead to the extinction of have happened to my original insects from the group. Could this be what was has the PSG, although I wasn't entirely happening to the UK stock of Extatsoma? I convinced. It wasn't until I was speaking to can't say for definite. Further and detailed a fellow PSG member over the telephone, research would need to be carried out to and the subject of Extatsoma availability prove whether this is what is causing the came up, that further evidence came defects but I do think that it is quite likely. forward. She herself had been in conversations during one of the meetings, Why does it not happen in the wild? and the subject concerning the inbreeding of the UK stock of Extatsoma came up. She Phasmids have, along with other insects, explained that many people had characteristics that prevent inbreeding. experienced the same symptoms with their Males are often capable of fligh,t with own stock, and not many people were able lightweight bodies, and fully developed to maintain viable populations. The wing,s that females do not feature, as their nymphs just could not moult successfully, priorities are with reproduction Males are either dying or coming through the process therefore capable of travelling distances, deformed. She explained that the suggested usually to areas where they find females cause was inbreeding. that are unrelated.
Therefore my thoughts began to be develop Males also mature before the females, and as to why this situation had arisen, and this they manage by usually having one less what could be done about the whole moult than females. In the wild, males that predicament reach maturity cannot mate with their 'sisters' as these females have yet to fully How could it happen? developed. The males simply take flight, and travel until they do find females that Thinking back on my school's population, are ready for mating. and my discussions with my biology teacher, I remembered that the stock was
Newsletter 91.14 These two simple steps will create a I replied to this e-mail with the suggestion dynamic environment that prevents that anyone who breeds Extatsomas should, inbreeding. In captivity, males are denied like Natalie stated, ensure that they this ability. outbreed their stock. Most people who currently keep them do not keep enough to give away stock; so the best solution, I What is to be done now? thought, was to have a male swap. Anyone with mature males could advertise on the Although I was stickinsect mailing list, requesting an conscious of the exchange for other males. Each person pays problem, an e-mail for the P+P, and both in return receive fresh sent to all subscribers males to introduce to their existing virgin of the stick insect females. This would then introduce a new mailing list*, from gene stock into their collection Natalie Ford, really kicked me into The drawback here was that UK stock developing a solution would be mixed with UK stock, and if most to the problem. I shall of what is available is inbred, then there is a quote directly from risk that the issue would not be resolved. I the e-mail (quoted with permission): decided to undertake a longer-term project to bring in really fresh stock. "Many people I spoke to are having LOTS of problems breeding ETs. It was said how 5- I advertised on the same mailing list for 10 years ago, the species was everywhere anyone who could supply me with ova in and very easy to breed. Recently people are exchange for ova from my stock This finding that the ova are hatching, but the would in theory allow anyone to send me breed has become so weak (probably due to stock where the sending of live insects was in-breeding) that the insects are unable to prohibited (ie outside of the UK). I am glad survive to adulthood. to say that quite a few people responded, from various countries and I have now received ova from the USA, Canada, "The typical reasons for not reaching Netherlands, and Belgium, as well as the adulthood were either death for 'no apparent UK; and many of the people I was reason', or the insect not shedding and thus exchanging ova with had the same motives never growing any ie outbreeding. bigger. We also noted that some nymphs (mostly first instars) were starving My plan is to produce from these as many themselves to death - even tlxough there was nymphs as I can, and to distribute them as plenty of appropriate food available. A unrelated pairs (ie males from Canada with strong indication to back up this theory was females from the UK) via both the mailing that there were absolutely no ETs for list and the PSG exchange. Obviously from exchange at the meeting. these ova I intend to hold back some from each batch and, with these, to introduce the There really isn't an awful lot we can do as males swapping policy, so that in the long term I can continue to supply unrelated an immediate solution to this, but as a pairs. longer term solution, I would encourage everyone breeding ETs to OUT-BREED at Further to supplying unrelated pairs, I plan least every other generation. This is really to clearly label the stock supplied with a important or else we may lose this culture basic code. Anyone who receives stock from (in captivity) in certain regions." me via both the mailing list and the PSG
Newsletter 91.15 exchange, can tell the exact relationship similar situation with any others that I keep, between all the pairs. and that could well be because most of the Phasmids currently kept are new to culture For example; I have received three different and haven't been inbred to such a great stocks of ova from the USA. Each batch will degree. be labelled USA1, USA2, or USA3. Anyone who receives more than one batch of USA Whatever species are kept, common species stock from me will know whether they are (Medaura) as well as the rare, we all need to related or not. introduce fresh stock into it, at regular intervals, to maintain its outbred quality. The latter part of the code will simply be my Quite simply, the PSG exchange is a good initials. Therefore a code of N2/CDK will source, most species are readily available be the second batch that I received from the and it is for free. Netherlands I would like to think that within a year or Is it working? so, if a concerted effort is made by everyone wishing to breed Extatsoma, the stock Although it is early days as yet (the project available in the UK will have returned to was started February, and it is now March), the healthy state that it was a few years ago, the first batch of eggs has started to hatch, and once again it becomes a commonly and seem to be doing well; no fatalities so kept, easily bred species. far. I would like to think that by the July meeting I would be in a position to supply Codes used to date „ „ at least a small number of unrelated pairs to the PSG exchange. Whether this will solve 6 - Belgium the problem remains to be seen, as already C- Canada mentioned - is it inbreeding that is causing N - Netherlands the problem in the first place? If it is, will UK - United Kingdom this process of out breeding reverse the USA - United States current situation, and restore the current captive stock? Suggestion
One way that would solve the inbreeding Anyone supplying ETs situation, that I do not want to see happen, to the PSG exchange could add to the is for fresh stock to be brought in from wild labelling the original source. sources. Having originally collected this species from the wild, we should be in a References situation to maintain what we have rather than rely on taking further stock from the Virginia Cheeseman's creepy crawly wild to maintain what I,s at the end of the Website day, a hobby. http:/ / members.aol.com/vcheeseman/vch eeseman.htm The future Stick insect mailing list. Should this produce positive results, it www.exotics.net/sticklist/ would be prudent to maintain an out breeding policy for all the insect species we If anyone has any thoughts or information I keep, so that the situation doesn't arise would be interested in your feedback, just e- again. I personally haven't come across a mail me at [email protected]
Newsletter 91.16 Female Graeffea crouanii (from Brunner 1868)
AN UNUSUAL GUEST
By Raul Brock '^^^
Returning from a holiday in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 10 year old Richard Hartz from Jordans, Nr. Beaconsfield was surprised when a stick insect crawled out of his rucksack!
Rather an attractive beast, brown with green and yellow stripes, Paul Brock collected it on I5th April and identified it as a female of the Coconut Stick-insect Graeffea crouanii (Le Guillou), measuring 117mm from head to end of abdomen. This species is known to be a pest on coconut palms on various south pacific islands, notably Fiji, Samoa and Tonga. Both sexes have beautiful deep pink wings, shortened in the female.
Even the purchase of a huge palm from Lord Howe Island, Australia could not tempt it to feed! However, a few eggs have been laid. [Addendum: It is still alive, clearly eating Acacia leaves, after a coconut (but no coconut leaves) were placed in its container].
Newsletter 91.17 THE GLADIATOR - A NEW ORDER OF INSECT
(With grateful thanks to Prof Dr Joachim Adis, for his kind permission to reproduce this article, also to the expedition who found the insect [including our own Phil Bragg], also to Klaus Klass for the dissections and interpretations, and in particular to PSG Member Oliver Zompro who discovered the new insect).
THE DISCOVERY Insects, (Latin insectum, literally "segmented Press Release: 17th April 2002 Max-Planck animal"), with over 1.2 million known species, Doctoral Student discovers "living fossils". represent over 80 % of all living animals on earth. Every year numerous new species are Example of an unknown insect order found in found and categorised. But the last time a new Namibia, and shortly before in a piece of 45 insect order was discovered was in 1915, 87 million-year-old amber. years ago.
For the first time in 87 The discoverer, Oliver ZOMPRO, years scientists have biologist and doctoral Student in the found insects which Tropical Ecology Working Group at cannot be allocated to any the Max-Planck-lnstitute for known insect order. Limnology in Plon, (supervisor Prof. Dr. Joachim ADIS), discovered During the expedition of several animals which could not be an international allocated to any known insect order, entomologist group from as well as a new family of stick Germany, England, South insect (Archipseudophasmatidae) Africa, Namibia and the when examining a 45-million-year- USA to the Brandberg old piece of Baltic amber last year. mountain in Namibia, the predatory animals were The specimens came from the discovered: they appear to amber collection of the Geological- be something like a Palaeontological Institute of the mixture between a stick University of Hamburg, the insect and a preying Palaeontological Institute of the mantis and have been Berlin Museum for Natural History given the provisional and from numerous private name "Gladiator". Prior to collections. On visiting the British this, Oliver ZOMPRO, Natural History Museum in London, member of the expedition Oliver ZOMPRO was shown a spiny and doctoral Student at insect that had been collected in the Max-Planck-Institute 1950 in Tanzania. for Limnology in PI6n, discovered this life form in a 45-million-year-old piece of amber and in It had been sent to the British museum 16 not yet classified pieces of amber from various years earlier by the Museum in Lund/Sweden European museums. to be identified. Another, completely transparent piece of amber that ZOMPRO had The new insect order will be presented in the been given to examine from the private 18th April 2002 edition of Science. According collection of Friedrich KERNEGGER, contained to Piotr NASKRECKI, director of the an adult male (subsequently described as "Invertebrate Diversity Initiative" in the species Raptophasma kerneggeri ZOMPRO, 2001 in protection organisation, "Conservation Mitt. Geol.-Palaont. Inst. Univ. Hamburg 85: International", this discovery is akin to "finding 229-261,2001). The similarity with the animal in a mammoth or a sabre-toothed tiger today". London was obvious. In unidentified stick-insect This new order, christened material in the Berlin Museum for Natural Mantophasmatodea, brings the number of History, ZOMPRO finally found a similar- insect orders known throughout the world to looking adult female, found in Namibia at the 31. beginning of the 20th century. Comparison with the animal in amber showed:
Newsletter 91.18 for the first time since the discovery of and middle legs indicate that the animal held Zoraptera in 1913 and the Grylloblattodea (= on to its prey with its legs, as some insect- Notoptera) in 1915, a new insect order had eating locusts (Orthoptera) do. been discovered. A more detailed description of the new insect The German postdoctoral scholarship-holder order "Mantophasmatodea" will appear in the Dr. Klaus-Dieter KLASS and Prof. Dr. Niels autumn in the journal "Zoologischer Anzeiger". Peder KRISTENSEN from the Zoological At the end of the year a German account will Museum in Copenhagen, co-authors of the be published in a new edition of "Kastner - "Science" article, provided support in Lehrbuch der Speziellen Zoologie", the entomological standard work.
Joachim ADIS sent photographs of the two animals found in museums to scientists and museums around the world, with the request for searches in collections for further material. Dr. Eugene MARAIS, National Museum in Windhoek, sent the researchers information about two similar-looking animals that had been found in Namibia in 1990 and 2001. The two specimens which were sent to Plon represented two further new species of a third new genus and, at the same time, investigating the structure (morphology, confirmed that representatives of the new anatomy) and in describing how the animal is insect order had survived to the present day - distinct from previously known insect orders. over a period of at least 45 million years. Their detailed examinations confirm without any doubt that the animal represents a Research expedition to the Brandberg previously unknown insect order. However, its Press Release: 17th April 2002 Max-Planck exact position within the system of insects has Doctoral Student discovers "living fossils". In not yet been clarified. The species found in January 2002, a scientific cooperation the museum represent the genus agreement was signed between the Namibian Mantophasma (body length up to 2.5 cm), the National Museum in Windhoek and the Max- animals in amber the genus Raptophasma Pianck-lnstitute for Limnology (Tropical (body length 1.5 cm). Ecology Working Group; headed by Prof. Dr. W.J. JUNK) in Plon, in which the Namibian There were approximately 40 eggs in the government gave the two partners to the abdomen of the female from Namibia which agreement exclusive rights to research and was conserved in alcohol (Museum for Natural document the new insect order for a period of History, Berlin). Initial electron microscopic 6 years. investigations of their surface structure, carried out by Joachim ADIS at the Max- The main aims of the research are to study Planck-lnstitute for Limnology, indicate that the biology, ecology, occurrence, genetics, they are supplied with air under water in the evolution and in particular the protection of the event of temporary flooding, i.e. they are insects. This involves, amongst other things, submersion-resistant by means of "plastron developing a collection of newly described respiration" and/or they have a high level of species in the museum in Namibia and the resistance to desiccation. Cuticular remains of distribution of specimens to selected other insects were found in the intestines of museums on all continents, training Namibian this female, which, as in the case of the students in handling the animals in the field species conserved in amber, indicate a and in the laboratory, cooperation with predatory diet. Rows of spines on the front
Newsletter 91.19 internationally renowned scientists with the also successful in finding living animals in aim of producing joint publications of the 2002, not only on the Brandberg, but also in results achieved and the organisation of third- the Erongo mountains, where they found a party funds to finance further research. further species of the order.
The first scientific expedition to Namibia took The "Gladiators" collected in the region place from 28th February to 19th March 2002 around the Brandberg are now in the climate in order to look for a species, not yet chambers of the Max-Planck-lnstitute for described - working name "Gladiator", so Limnology. First DNA analyses are already called because of its similarity to the armoured being undertaken in the molecular biology fighters in the film of the same 1zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA <*j name - on the Brandberg mountain in Erongo province. The nearly 2,600 m high inselberg has long been famous for the animal species which only occur here. The Brandberg region is a Namibian National Pare and there are plans to propose it for UNESCO's World Heritage programme because of the unique rock drawings found there.
The area may be entered only with permission, which is particularly important for the protection of the new insect laboratories of the University of Leeds in order from bio-piracy. It turned out that England (Prof. R. BUTLIN) and Brigham scientists from the University of Leeds and the Young University in Provo, USA (Dr. M.F. Windhoek Museum had already found WHITING), in order to clarify the exact specimens of this insect species on the position of the Mantophasmatodea order in Brandberg during joint expeditions between the insect family tree. 1998 and 2000. The international team was
SOME WEBSITES WHERE THE GLADIATOR MAY BE SEEN IN COLOUR www.planetark.org/envpicstory.cfm/newsaid/15201 www.news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/03/0328_0328_TVstickinsect.html www.sungaya.de/oz/gladiator/entdeckungGB.htm
USEFUL T~IP
By Stephen Z_ee Thomas
If you are not sure, if -you have turned out any nymphs with spent bramble/ etc, when cleaning out cages: put the food plant in a bag to inspect the next day. /\ny nymphs left on the food plant "migrate" up to the surface for easy rescue!
Newsletter 91.20 PSGMERCHANDISE
Pens - 40p each -+- P&P
Stickers - 60p each + P&P
Car Window Stickers - 60p each -+- P&P
(P&P per order on all the above UK - 25p, Overseas - 40p)
T SHIRTS with the following designs -
Oreophoetes peruana Aretaon asperrfmus Phyllium bioculatum
£6.50each + P&P ( UK £1.00, Overseas £1.50)
Sizes - large and X large only
Please send your order to James Waddicor, 3 Squires Copse, Peatmoor, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN5 5HB. (Cheques made payable to "The Phasmid Study Group")
Tel 01793 877617 for more info if required.
(All these items will usually also be available at the Summer and the AGM Meetings, prices as above, but you save on the P&P).
««»» +++++++++
New book on stick and leaf insects. See next page for details. This book is filled with excellent information and colour photographs. It is also recommended by Paul Brock. As you can see, Ron is offering them to members at a discount. Furthermore, copies will be available at the Summer Meeting for only £20 each.
(To reserve a copy, phone or fax Ron on 020 8590 3285).
Newsletter 91.21 Rearing Stick and Leaf Insects By Ronald N. Baxter FRES, FZS, FLS.
Just recently published, this refreshing "new look" book provides essential reading for those interested in rearing these fascinating insects.
Part one commences with an overview of eggs in general and detailed methods by which they are laid, and how to care for them prior to hatching.
Rearing This section deals with various cages which can be made and guidance is give on Care of Small Nymphs, Feeding Small Nymphs, Care of Larger Nymphs and Adults.
Part two There are 50 species described in detail, with information on distribution, descriptions of both male and female, egg and egg laying, list of foodplants acceptable in captivity together with general rearing requirements. Species which are especially suitable for children are also mentioned.
Illustrations There are 112 colour photographs of male and female insects and, for the first time ever in the history of Phasmid publishing, 12 colour plates of 146 illustrations of Phasmid eggs. These superb plates are of a quality never before published.
A discount of £2 is being given off the published price of £22, to members using the order form below and quoting their PSG number. Each copy costs £21.50 which includes cost of inland postage. Cost to Europe £22.50 per copy. To all other countries (by Air Mail) £24.50.
ORDER FORM
To Chudleigh Publishing, 45 Chudleigh Crescent, Seven Kings, Ilford, Essex, IG3 9AT, England.
Please send me copies of Rearing Stick and Leaf Insects ISBN 0 951921932 @ the special price of £21.50 (inland). The price includes postage and packing. $ I enclose a cheque made payable to Chudleigh Publishing for £
Name PSG Membership Number Address
Postcode
Please write your name and address on the back of your cheque. Your order will be despatched by return.
Newsletter 91.22 MEET YOUR COMMITTEE!
CHAIRMAN Judith Marshall To arrange meetings within the NHM. Dept. of Entomology, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD. (Tel: 020 7942 5610; FAX 020 7942 5229) E-mail: [email protected].
TREASURER/MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY Paul Brock To receive membership applications and renewals, and keep track of PSG finances. "Papillon", 40 Thorndike Road, Slough, Berks. SL21SR. (Tel: 01753 579447 Phone after 5pm) E-mail: Not currently available on e-mail
PSG NEWSLETTER EDITOR Mike Smith To edit general articles for the PSG Newsletter. 13 Runnacles Street, Silver End, Witham, Essex, CM8 3QN. (Tel: 01376 584388). E-mail [email protected].
PHASMID STUDIES EDITOR Phil Bragg To edit the more technical/scientific articles for Phasmid Studies. 8 The Lane, Awsworth, Nottinghamshire, NG16 2QP. (Tel: 0115 9305010). E-mail: Not currently available on e-mail
LIBRARIAN David Robinson To keep all relevant information for general reference.
EXHIBITION & MEETINGS OFFICER Paul Jennings To assist the PSG in having a presence at relevant exhibitions and meetings. 89 Brackensdale Avenue, Derby, DE22 4AF. Tel: 01332 343477.
LrVESTOCK COORDINATOR Janine Fletcher To coordinate between those with surplus livestock and those wanting species. 125 Malvern Drive, North Common, Warmley, Bristol, BS30 8UY. Tel: 01179 604917, e-mail: [email protected].
COMMITTEE MEMBERS Paul Taylor (Former PSG Newsletter editor and current PSG Website Master) Ian Abercrombie (Former Livestock Coordinator) Kim D'Hulster
Non-committee Member James Waddicor (Holder & seller of PSG merchandise) 3 Squires Copse, Peatmoor, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN5 5HB. Tel 01793 877617.
Newsletter 91.23 NEXT NEWSLETTER
Please send all contributions to the Editor zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA(anytime, but by 1 August to guarantee a place in the September PSG Newsletters- Mike Smith, 13 Runnacles Street, Silver End, Witham, Essex, CMS 3QN. Tel: 01376 584388. e-mail: [email protected]. a. On disk* b. Bye-mail c. Typed d. Handwritten
*MS Word (any version) preferred. 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 Word for Windows, Word Perfect, or as ASC11 files.
All contributions to the Newsletter will be deemed to be submitted to the PSG Website, the Belgian-Dutch Phasma, and the German Arthropoda for translation (unless the contributor specifically requests differently).
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"
Newsletter 91.24 SUMMER MEETING
Saturday, July 13th; 11.30 am THE PALAEONTOLOGY DEMONSTRATION ROOM, THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM SOUTH KENSINGTON, LONDON.
(FREE PUBLIC ENTRY TO THE MUSEUM NOW, BUT GET A BADGE FROM RECEPTION FOR ENTRY TO THE PALAEONTOLOGY DEMONSTRATION ROOM),
AGENDA
11.30am- 12 noon. INFORMAL GATHERING: Members are encouraged to exchange ideas & experiences. 12 noon - 12.30pm. ILLUSTRATED TALK: (Paul Brock) 12.30pm- 1.15pm. Workshop. (The theme for the day is Bacilum sp; please bring along specimens, photos, etc, of this species in particular; but also of anything else you think would interest our members). 1.15pm - 1.45pm. LUNCH. 1.45pm - 2.45pm LIVESTOCK EXCHANGE. 2.45pm-3.15pm ILLUSTRATED TALK: (Tony James) 3.15pm-5.00pm. FURTHER INFORMAL GATHERING.
You are requested to bring along this sheet with you to gain access to the meeting room.
Please bring along food for both yourself and any livestock you may exchange. You are reminded to follow the rules as laid down concerning Livestock Exchange: 1) Livestock should be clearly labelled with their name & PSG number. 2) Food plant; what are they being fed on? 3) YOUR NAME & PSG number.
And don't forget to check before you leave that all of your livestock has been distributed!
Newsletter 91.25