The Phasmid Study Group

MARCH 2005 NEWSLETTER No 101 ISSN 0268-3806

INDEX:

Page Content

2 Diary Dates 3 Editorial 4 PSGAGM 6 Competition Results 8 The PSG Culture List 9 Name Changes, PSG 82 & 83. 9 Wexham Court School Models 10 Baculum ussuriana (now Ramulus ussurianus) 10 The PSG Committee 11 Blackberry Miscellany 16 Stick Talk 17 The PSG Species List 21 The Newark Show

22 18th Century Phasmid Plates by Seba 22 Jokes 23 PSG Merchandise 24 The Colour Page 25 Wants & Exchanges 26 Membership Application Form

The RSG 25 years old.

/ Baculum ussuriana now Romulus ussurianus

Creoxylus spinosus Oreophoetes peruana male

March 2005 Newsletter 101.1 Website: www.stickinsect.org.uk Diary Dates

Spring Entomological (formerly Kettering) Show 10.30 am, Sunday, 17 April 2005; Kettering Leisure Village, Kettering, Northants. (Contact Jack Harris, 01455 444792).

Phasma Reunion

11 am, Sunday, 24th April 2005; The Planetarium, Botanic Gardens, De Ledeganckstraat, Gent.

ELG Spring Fair 12.00noon-4pm, Sunday, 15th May 2005. Pattishall Village Hall, Pattishall, Near Towcester, Northants. (Contact: Paul Batty, 01909 565564). British Tarantula Society Exhibition 1 lam, Sunday,22nd May 2005. Woodgreen High School, Wednesbury, West Midlands. (2 mins from Junction 9 of the M6). (Contact: Ray Hale 01323 489047). [Thanks to PSG member Michael Summerfield for the information.]

Newark Entomological Show Sunday, 12th June, 2005 (and again ? December, 2005), 12am-4pm, Grove Leisure Centre,, London Rd., Balderton, Newark (off the Al). (Contact for tables or information: Paul Holt, 01636 674723 or 07901 577251).

Green Fair Saturday, ? July 2005, Somerset. ASSISTANCE, PLEASE. I try to be of help to our members by PSG 25th Anniversary Summer Meeting including in Diary Dates all the shows etc I am aware of. But I am very much Saturday, 9th July 2005 - 11.30 am, Palaeontology Demonstration Room, Natural History Museum, London. in need of members' assistance to give me details of the shows - dates, venues, Invertebrate Day at Colchester Zoo etc, please. Also, in many cases I give contact details, but I just do not have Sunday, TBA August 2005 - Colchester Zoo, Maldon Road, Stanway, Essex. 01206 331292. enough time to pursue them all for relevant particulars. If any member can Lincoln Exotics (formerly: Invert) Show assist by getting the missing details, and Sunday,? September 2005. Main Hall, North Kesteven Centre, Lincoln. (Just off the A1434, which is passing them to me, it would be much off the A46). (Contact Jim Tweadle, 01522 501241, e-mail: [email protected]). appreciated. Editor. Castle Drogo, AES Bugshow! Saturday ? October 2005,1 lam-4.30pm, at Castle Drogo, Devon. AES Exhibition Saturday, ? October, 2005, 1 lam. Kempton Park Racecourse, Staines Road, Kempton Park, Sunbury-on Thames, Middlesex. Contact: AES, PO Box 8774, London, SW7; E-mail: [email protected].

Bugs & Beasties Show (date unknown)

Selby, North Yorkshire (Contact Steve Dye, www.bugsnstuff.co.uk).

West of England Creepy Crawly Show. (Details unknown)

PSG AGM & Winter Meeting Saturday, ? January 2006 - 11.30 am, Palaeontology Demonstration Room, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London.

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.

If you attend these or other shows, please send in a review for the Newsletter.

If you are aware of any additional shows involving phasmids, or other insects, spiders, etc, however big or small the show, and wherever the show may be, please pass the details on to the editor.

The Phasmid Study Group is invited to exhibit at many 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.

REQUEST FOR ARTICLES. 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, web site details, ideas or comments on the Newsletters, etc, etc. My details are at the back of each Newsletter. Many thanks, Editor.

March 2005 Newsletter 101.2 Website: www.stickinsect.org.uk Editorial Welcome to the March PSG Newsletter. And, if all goes according to plan, it should be accompanied by the latest PSG culture list, the latest membership list, and a Phasmid Studies] However, apologies if you receive this a bit late - we have had a few problems... AGM. From the information I've received, everyone that attended the PSG AGM and Winter Meeting in January enjoyed themselves. Sadly I was not there, but it seems it was quite an eventful meeting. There are reports and photos on it in this Newsletter. The biggest problem was that London trains stopped running properly; I'm not sure of the reason for this, but without trains it is very difficult and/or expensive to get around London. Hence many people arrived much later than they intended, and the agenda timetable went out of the window. Cameron has a report on the Competition in which he apologises that he was a bit flustered with the disruptions of the day, and that things did not all go according to his plans. However, I've heard from people that saw and/or took part in the competition, and they all thought it went fine. PSG CULTURE LIST. It is very good news that the PSG culture list has been updated and reissued. As I understand it, the subject was raised at the AGM, and a new system is in place to enable it to be updated and issued more easily. (More about that in this Newsletter). This "current" list is really an "interim" list, while further additions and changes are being fast-tracked, and hopefully by the end of the year there will be a really up to date list issued. Meanwhile, keep an eye on our PSG Website; I believe our webmaster Paul intends to keep the culture list on there and as up to date as possible. COLOUR IN PSG NEWSLETTERS - IMPORTANT. The subject of colour in Newsletters was raised by a committee member at the AGM, and radical (I think detrimental) changes were suggested almost before anyone realised what was happening. There was no prior warning that this hot potato would be raised (it should really have been an agenda item for the committee initially), so there was no time to formulate arguments for and against the idea. Basically, the standard Newsletter is normally issued in black and white, with one colour page ("The Colour Page"). And recently, as you should all be aware from mentions in previous Newsletters, a very small number of all-colour versions of the Newsletter were printed for PSG Committee members, and contributors to that Newsletter, when logistics allowed. (The membership subscription fee is currently insufficient for all members to have all-colour copies). This may seem unfair on the face of it, but ANY member could receive an all-colour copy either by being voted onto the committee, or by sending an article or other contribution to the Newsletter. When you consider the many hours and sterling efforts committee members and Newsletter contributors put into the PSG, free of charge in their own time, and how it benefits all members, this should be seen as a well-earned little thank you. In particular, this system has encouraged contributions to the Newsletter, an incentive that will be lost if we revert to all Newsletters being in black and white. Also, the way forward is for ALL Newsletters to be printed in full colour, and the printing of just a few all-colour versions is a stepping stone towards this ultimate goal. I therefore think it was a very short-sighted and backward step to consider reverting to all Newsletters being in black and white again Well, it was decided at the AGM that a coloured version of future Newsletters should be available on the PSG Website for one year. I can see the attraction of members having access to an all-colour version of the Newsletter on the website, and I try to make the Newsletter colourful - indeed nearly all the photos are in colour. (Also, Paul has sent me normal and all- colour versions of the Newsletter so I can compare them to make sure the coloured bits can be seen all right when printed in black and white). However, I foresee possible problems if Newsletters are copied off the Website and misused, and loss of revenue from the purchase of back numbers, so these are some points that should have been considered. Anyway, the trial will continue, and we can see how it goes before deciding if this idea really is a good thing. It was also suggested that by having only some all-colour versions we were contravening the rules for ISSN publications. This has now been looked into and found not to be the case. It was further suggested that some members, who are otherwise eligible for all-colour versions, would prefer all black and white versions. If this were the case, the person concerned can always advise Paul Brock that they, personally, want only black and white versions in the future. There is currently much concern expressed over the possible demise of the all-colour Newsletters. Also, some committee members have had much debate on whether the perceived agreement to revert to all black and white copies from now on was actually voted for at the AGM. We therefore offer a proposal for the members' consideration, please. All copies of this March Newsletter will be issued in black and white only (with apologies to any contributors who were hoping to receive an all-colour version). The intention is to revert to the old system of committee members and contributors having all-colour versions from the June Newsletter onwards. (There will still be colour copies on the web site too). If you have any views on the PSG having some all-colour versions of the Newsletter, for or against, please let me or Judith know. If there are any reasonable concerns expressed, then the June Newsletter may also go out as all black and white, and the subject could then be discussed at the PSG Summer Meeting. Members Area of PSG WEBSITE: (Case sensitive) Regards to all MIKE SMITH USER NAME: PSGmembers Password: pharnacia

March 2005 Newsletter 101.3 Website: www.stickinsect.org.uk The PSG AGM Saturday 22.1.05 by Judith Marshall

Thanks, Judith. I will take this opportunity to use some of the many AGM pictures members kindly sent to me to embellish the article. All those on the first page are by Mike Strick, all on the second page by Ron Baxter - many thanks for the photos.

Judith opened the meeting, and started with apologies for the late start because of so many problems with delays to underground and train services. i.-.T, Ian then said a few words about Stan Pack, a keen member for many years who died last year. We agreed to send some flowers from the PSG to his widow to express our sympathy.

Following Paul Brock's report as Treasurer, Phil Bragg queried the special colour versions of the Newsletter sent to committee members and contributors, with special reference to the quality of black and white photographs as opposed to the colour versions of same. Contributors said they appreciated the colour format, and it was pointed out that some articles appear in colour on the PSG website. Colour must be limited to the "Colour" page for the majority of members, because of the production cost. Paul Taylor (Webmaster) then volunteered to ensure a new website password appeared in each Newsletter, and to keep the current Newsletters, in full colour, on the password-protected part of the website for one year. All present agreed.

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However, it would perhaps have been more appropriate to have discussed this item at the committee meeting first, so that any other options could have been explored - so we will welcome any other comments or suggestions from members on this issue, please send through Judith [or Mike].

In Mike's absence Judith presented his apologies and Newsletter Editor's report, thanking contributors and seeking more contributions - and all agreed that Mike is continuing to produce a splendid newsletter

[blush - Editor]. Everyone has appreciated the 25th anniversary embellishments, even on the Agenda too!

Cameron suggested that we need more Species Reports in the Newsletter, and he will do a synopsis for the next Newsletter on how to prepare one. Any member who has information towards a species report on a subject not yet covered is asked to send this to Mike, and either Mike will collate the bits to prepare a full report, or enlist someone else to do so. [I suspect the latter - Editor].

March 2005 Newsletter 101.4 Website: www.stickinsect.org.uk Phil Bragg reported that he hopes to publish the next issue of Phasmid Studies in March. Phil has problems because he can

accept only WordPerfect or ASCII files, not Word. David only rarely receives requests for information as Librarian - hopefully because people have found it elsewhere. Paul Jennings' apologies for absence were also read by Judith, with his thanks for assistance during meetings last year, and again, any offers/ideas for talks etc. this year will be very welcome! As Livestock coordinator, Janine's efforts at distributing iivestock wiii be much assisted by an up-to-date culture list, and Judith explained how this is to happen during 2005. See later notes in this Newsletter. Lunch, viewing and judging the competition entries, and awarding the prizes, took rather longer than planned, so the Question and Answer Panel was deferred. However any questions may be sent to Judith, for reply either at the summer meeting or in the Newsletter, as appropriate. Robert Bradbourne's illustrated talk on Stick Insects (and other animals!) from Sabah was well received and much appreciated, especially as we were able to see the pictures in a room with black-out facilities! The train problems made it a very chaotic day, so we did not fully celebrate the 25th anniversary of the PSG at the AGM, but will continue to do so during the year! [Hopefully this will be rectified at the Summer PSG Meeting

March 2005 Newsletter 101.5 Website: www.stickinsect.org.uk Results for the Winter 2005 Competition by Cameron DK

This was the third consecutive time that the PSG have had a competition and the entries were, as always, to a very high standard. Although this demonstrates the wonderful abilities of PSG members, it always makes the selecting of the winning entries very hard indeed. How Does The Competition Work? For those of you who have not seen the competitions, here is a little bit of background information. There were four sections; two specifically for the more mature members - Livestock, for living insects, either singly or in pairs Photographic/drawing, for artistic representations of stick insects. The other two sections were as above but were for members who were fifteen and under; Livestock junior section Photographic/drawing junior section. The competition was open to all PSG members, they simply brought in their entries, and placed them within the competition area, along with an entry label. Results of This Year's Competition. The results of this year's competition are as follows; The Livestock Category was won by Paul Taylor, (who manages PSG website) with a pair of Phyllium sp. (leaf insects). The female was a beautiful yellow colour whilst the male was a bright green. In second place was Steven Thomas with a male and female, of a relatively new species, Parectatosoma mocquerysi. This species is best described as a darker, slightly more ornate Haaniella. The Livestock Category - Junior Section. Rowena Tylden Pattenson took first place with a pair of very darkly coloured Extatosoma tiaratum. Second place was won with a male Ctenomorphodes briareus. The interesting story was that it should have been in the adult section, but it was accidentally moved into the junior section and judged accordingly. The winner was Rob Brown who, after speaking to him personally, is a little bit over the fifteen limit on this section! First prize in the Photographic and Drawing Category was taken by Sally Ewen with a superbly close and detailed photograph of Haanieiia grayii. This is not the first time that Saiiy has taken a prize in this section and has certainly developed a reputation for excellent photography within the PSG. In second place was Robert Bradburne with his novel and original origami models of Phasma gigas and Pharnacia sp. In the Photographic and Drawing Category - Junior Section, first place was awarded to Julius Bottcher. His entry was a set of superb close-up photographs of a Eurycnema goliath nymph whilst Christopher Pull was in second place with a detailed pencil drawing of a female Extatosoma tiaratum.

Overview of the Competition There were many Picture: Mike Strick. entries in the Photographic and drawing category, including the junior section and it was really good to see that so many members had put considerable effort in the work and using different media. With such a large number of entries, it makes judging difficult, as you just can't pick out a clear winner.

All those who did win chose to take first choice from the livestock table as opposed to a year's free membership, and considering the range of species, surprising.

The number of entries in the Livestock categories (including Junior section) were very much fewer although again, they were of a very high standard. It would be really good to see more live insects, as this really does allow members to see phasmids at their best and also to view some more interesting species. With the number of entries being quite low, it means that those that do enter have a much greater chance of getting a free selection from the livestock table before other members. This year's selection from the livestock table was March 2005 Newsletter 101.6 Website: www.stickinsect.org.uk o excellent and the winners were able to pick from the best. So, consider entering the livestock section to have a good chance of winning.

Smoother Competition for the Summer Due to some oversights, the competition didn't go as smoothly as planned! Unfortunately I didn't put out the signs to clearly define the different categories, nor did I put out the labels to state which entries had received what prize. To finish it all off, I wrote out 2004 on the certificates rather than 2005, so if any of you received incorrectly dated certificates, please e-mail me and I will ensure that you get correctly dated ones instead. One slight mishap did work out well for some though. Members, whose entries came in second place, should have only received a certificate. Due to my forgetfulness, they were asked to choose a selection from the livestock table, a prize normally reserved for those coming first. I shall ensure that the competition runs more efficiently next time.

Finally, huge thanks are due to Allan Harman, who I pulled away from friends, to assist with the judging. It is because of his support that we were able to decide the winners from the many great entries.

Cameron DK - [email protected]

March 2005 Newsletter 101.7 Website: www.stickinsect.org.uk The PSG Culture List by Judith Marshall

For the AGM Phil had produced a short list of added species. The full list will be made available to members, and has the current name for each species, [it should be distributed with this Newsletter - Editor].

Allan Harman has kindly provided an explanation of the name changes for species 82 and 83 (see next page).

Please note - any errors introduced during this process are entirely down to Judith, to whom please send any comments/suggestions.

We are all grateful to Phil for the efforts he has made in producing this list over the years virtually single- handed, but now we are changing the process as Tony James, the founder of the PSG, with the assistance of committee members and Allan Harman, are going to help Phil take up the challenge of adding to and updating the list.

Phil's rule for adding species to the list had been that he had specimens of the species in question. This is not totally practical because not many people can easily view his collection, so in future species will be added to the list when specimens are deposited in the Natural History Museum, London (NHM) collection. At present there are specimens of at least 118 of the numbered PSG species in the NHM collection, and more are being added almost weekly - thanks to Allan Harman especially!

The NHM collection is fully databased and has the PSG culture number included in the information for each species so that each can easily be located. We will aim to add as many as possible of the listed species during the next year, so that they will be available for reference by members.

Until last year there was a little difficulty in adding large numbers of specimens to the NHM collection, as we were very short of space - and some stick insects take an immense amount of room! However, last year more cabinets were provided for the collection of Orthopteroid Insects, which includes the Phasmida, and also some new drawers were made available and more have been promised.

There is one problem for NHM staff this year - we are moving from the current Entomology block because it will be pulled down in October! For the next few years the Orthopteroid collection and staff will be housed in the former 'Origin of Species' gallery (above the Dinosaurs), before moving to new accommodation in Darwin Centre II.

Statement from Tony on the future PSG Culture List:

The revision of our Species List is a major job, but I intend to integrate the data into an ACCESS database titled the "PSG Species Catalogue" so that updating and selective printouts will be easy thereafter. To this end I have been splitting a copy of the list into three interlocked worksheets in Excel covering particular blocks of information, and these are ""Source History", "Identification", and "Specifics" (this to cover culture status, size, wings, foodplants, etc.) and updating them with any information I can get hold of. These worksheets will transfer handily into the ACCESS data tables when the bulk of the research and updates has been done.

I would like to make a particular request to all members who have collected or imported stock from outside Europe:

I am looking for area in country which originated the stock, how they were imported (as eggs from a dealer or wild collected), and the Year and person(s) who did it. I also need to know whether your species has been given a PSG No. or not as it may not be catalogued yet.

We never really thought of the traceability up to now, but as more and more species are coming in from various sources, then it is becoming important to be able to look back at what we have all done for the Group, especially as sometimes species which we thought were the same as previously existing cultures turn out to be different. Both current names and original names should be very helpful to identify what is being held, especially when an old name is used. (In some cases the specific name has been moved to another genus, or the original genus has been synonymised, and some of the original name. Incorrect original identifications have since been changed). I have been going through the old Species Lists to make up a history trail so this should also help us in the future.

I would also hope to include pictures / drawings in the final version of the database to make it easier to see if something had been collected before. Just to have a list designation of "Unclassified" doesn't help at all, so we need to have something more visual to help.

March 2005 Newsletter 101.8 Website: www.stickinsect.org.uk An Explanation Of The Name Changes For Species 82 And 83 by Allan Harman

The original culture of supposed R. scabrosus was collected by Jean-Claude ANDERES from Bel Air, Plaine des Greques, La Reunion. In culture for some 20 years this species has been reared on rhododendron and eucalyptus. The supposed R. alliaceus was collected in Mauritius at about the same time.

A recent revision of the tribe MONANDROPTERINI (Cliquennois & Brock, 2004) has cleared up the misidentification. The genus Rhaphiderus consists of two species only, R. spinigerus (Lucas, 1862) from La Reunion, and R. scabrosus (Percheron, 1829) from Mauritius with R. alliaceus as a synonym.

PSG 82Rhaphiderus spinigerus (Lucas, 1862) La Reunion. Foodplants Rhododendron, Eucalyptus, Bramble, Oak.

PSG 83 Rhaphiderus scabrosus (Percheron, 1829) Mauritius. Foodplant Hypericum = R. alliaceus Stal, 1875

Note on the species:- Both females are very similar in appearance. The male of the PSG 83 is quite distinctive however, dark mottled green with red eyes. The abdomen is curled over 'scorpion-like' and the insect is extremely active.

Reference:- CLIQUENNOIS, N. & BROCK, P.D., 2004. Revision de la tribu des Monandropterini, incluant la description d'une nouvelle espece d'Heterophasma de la Reunion (Phasmatodea, Tropidoderinae). Bulletin de la Societe entomologique de France 109 (1).

SOME INSECTS PAUL BROCK HAD ON SHOW AT THE PSG WINTER MEETING.

INSECTS MADE BY WEXHAM COURT PRIMARY SCHOOL, SLOUGH (Photo by Ron Baxter)

CHILDREN WERE ASKED TO BE CREATIVE AND POSSIBLY MAKE A TOTALLY NEW INSECT. SOME OBVIOUSLY LIKE PHASMIDS!

INITIATIVE FUNDED BY CREATIVE PARTNERSHIPS

March 2005 Newsletter 101.9 Website: www.stickinsect.org.uk •5

Baculum ussuriana*, by Darina Vladivostok (Mrs.), Russia. I'm not sure where Davina got my name from, but she offered to sell me some eggs of Baculum ussuriana. I declined the offer, but asked if she would be interested in doing an article with photos for the Newsletter. This was her kind reply, incidentally, Paul Brock advises me that the current combination is Ramulus ussurianus (Bei-Bienko). Editor.

Here is some information and photos about this species. You may use it in your Newsletter, have no time to prepare an article, sorry. I am not a scientist and not even a fan of stick insects; I like any insects in general. I am "a butterfly girl"; I especially like butterflies, and have some projects on rearing them. / Baculum ussuriana was described as a new species in 1958 by , Russian entomologist Bei-Bienko. ' This is very rare insect, but some populations were found last season. The adults have green and brown colour forms. The average size of body is 8 cm (without legs). They feed on various trees in the wild but mostly Lime. Photographer is Sergei Veriga. Best wishes. Darina. E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected].

THE PSG COMMITTEE

CHAIRMAN Judith Marshall TREASURER/MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY Paul Brock To arrange meetings within the NHM. To receive membership applications and renewals, and keep track of Dept. of Entomology, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell PSG finances. Road, "Papillon", 40 Thorndike Road, Slough, Berks. SL2 1SR. London SW7 5BD. (Tel: 020 7942 5610; FAX 020 7942 5229) (Tel: 01753 579447 Phone after 5pm) E-mail: [email protected]. E-mail: [email protected].

SECRETARY/PHASMID STUDIES EDITOR Phil Bragg PSG NEWSLETTER EDITOR Mike Smith To produce agendas and minutes for PSG meetings, and edit To edit general articles for the PSG Newsletter. the more technical/scientific articles for Phasmid Studies. 13 Runnacles Street, Silver End, Witham, Essex, 8 The Lane, Awsworth, Nottinghamshire, NG16 2QP. CM8 3QN. (Tel: 01376 584388). (Tel: 0115 9305010). E-mail: Currently not available on e-mail E-mail [email protected].

EXHIBITION & MEETINGS OFFICER Paul Jennings (assisted by Paul Taylor) To assist the PSG in having a presence at relevant exhibitions and meetings. 89 Brackensdale Avenue, Derby, DE22 4AF. Tel: 01332 343477.

LIVESTOCK 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].

LIBRARIAN David Robinson To keep all relevant information for general reference. COMMITTEE MEMBERS Paul Taylor (PSG Website Master) Ian Abercrombie Kim D'Hulster I Kristien Rabaey (European representatives) E-mail [email protected] Cameron Die Konigin (PSG Competition Organiser)

Non-committee Member: James Waddicor (Holder & seller of PSG merchandise) 3 Squires Copse, Peatmoor, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN5 5HB. Tel 01793 877617.

March 2005 Newsletter 101.10 Website: www.stickinsect.org.uk I

Blackberry Miscellany A collection of facts, observations and experiences. By Cameron Die Konigin

INTRODUCTION The Blackberry (also known as bramble) is the phasmid food plant par excellence. It is without doubt the most important source of food for nearly all the stick insects in culture today and I think we should count ourselves very fortunate that almost any new species brought into culture can be weaned on to this one species. The interesting part is that many of the phasmid species currently cultured may have never eaten, let alone, seen a blackberry plant in the wild, yet with care, they can be encouraged to transfer to a diet of blackberry.

Apart from the vital role that blackberry has as a food plant, there is often little awareness of the plant itself or how to get the best from it as a food plant. Therefore I thought that I would write an article dedicated to this, sometimes under estimated, source of phasmid food.

THE SCIENTIFIC PART Blackberry belongs within the genus Rubus, and this in turn falls within the rose family, Rosaceae. There are many different Rubus species and they are found throughout the whole world, although most occur in the Northern Hemisphere. Not all of these species would be suitable for feeding to phasmids, but the ones I have used or have known to be used on previous occasions, as well as blackberry, are. Rubus idaeus - the well-known Raspberry Rubus spectabilis - a low growing almost spineless shrub with deep pink flowers Rubus cockburnianus - a very tall growing shrub with white powdery stems Rubus lineatus - a spineless shrub with very decorative, pleated leaves. Rubus tricolor-a low growing shiny leaved species that is commonly used for landscape planting

The blackberry species, scientifically known as Rubus fruticosus agg. is actually a group of many, very similar species, that are termed microspecies; each micro-species having its own subtle characteristics. Because there are so many, (for example, there are about 500 within the United Kingdom alone) they are all grouped together into one large group and given one name - Rubus fruticosus. So that you are aware that Rubus fruticosus is a group of many microspecies, the ending, agg. (Short for aggregatus - meaning clustered, collected together) is added at the end of the scientific name, hence Rubus fruticosus agg.

Therefore, when collecting blackberry leaves, quite a variation can be encountered. Although they are all blackberries, because of the spiny stems and leaves that are often divided into five parts and spines, some are much more suitable than others, possibly because they have much larger leaves or are not so spiny. All these different variations are some of the micro-species that go to make up the Rubus fruticosus aggregatus.

It is often assumed that blackberries will grow almost anywhere, but this is not quite the case. As with any plant, there are preferred habitats - those with good rich loamy soil in sheltered areas. However, different microspecies have developed different preferences and damp, acidic woodlands will support a different range of microspecies than those found on more exposed lime rich fields. This is one of the reasons, when gathering blackberry leaves, that the preferred types (usually larger leaves, fewer spines and not too hairy) can be found in similar conditions.

GROWTH BEHAVIOUR OF RUBUS FRUTICOSUS AGG. Blackberry canes, often called the stalks or stems, grow up from the rootstock and from these canes the leaves are produced, alternating up on each side. Flowers are ultimately produced, either white or in varying shades of pink, which in turn produce the blackberry fruit. Once a blackberry plant has matured and has established, these canes are produced following a specific cycle and each one lasts for two years.

In the first year, a new cane grows up from the rootstock, usually in a long arching stem and can easily reach five metres or more (depending on the microspecies) growing almost continuously throughout the growing March 2005 Newsletter 101.11 Website: www.stickinsect.org.uk i

season. The leaves produced on this first year cane are generally large, composed of five leaflets and evergreen, surviving through the winter. This first year cane sometimes branches within this initial year, sending out long unbranched side stems which are also clothed with evergreen leaves. No flowers are produced; the cane is simply putting on the greatest amount of growth and leaves prior to flowering and fruiting the following year. If it grows sufficiently long enough to completely arch over so that the growing tip touches the ground, it is able to produce roots from this tip and vegetatively propagate itself. This first year cane is termed a primocane.

In the second year, the primocane changes its functionality and becomes what is often termed a fruiting cane. Instead of increasing its size, it now focuses on producing flowers and fruit. The main branch and any smaller side branches that were produced the year before, now start to produce a large number of smaller side branches from the leaf axils, each one terminating in flowers and ultimately in blackberry fruits. These new side branches do not grow for any distance, usually no more than a metre in length, growing just enough so that they are clear of any lower branches. The leaves tend to be smaller and with fewer leaflets than those on the primocane. Once the autumn arrives and the blackberry fruits have gone, the fruiting cane now begins to die, its purpose having been achieved. Over the winter the leaves tend to yellow and fall. However, the blackberry plant is not finished, because whilst this cane was producing the flowers and fruit in its second year, another primocane was growing up from the rootstock ready to produce fruit and flowers for the following year, so although the cane is biennial, there is always a succession of new ones to replace the old.

CULTIVATED BLACKBERRY VARIETIES There are quite a variety of cultivated blackberries including some spine free cultivars that would make harvesting of the stems considerably easier and less painful. All would be adequate for feeding to stick insects although it must be remembered that because cultivars are bred for fruit production rather than the leaves, they aren't always as vigorous as the wild microspecies. Also, it isn't always possible to produce enough blackberry stems from cultivated plants unless you have sufficient land on which to grow them.

COLLECTING AND USING BLACKBERRY LEAVES I am aware that different people have their own particular methods of collecting and using blackberry and this can vary considerably from one person to the next. There is not really a correct or incorrect way although I have learnt some useful techniques from various other members of the PSG and from my own experiences. Therefore I thought that I would outline my preferred collecting and feeding methods below.

EQUIPMENT FOR COLLECTING BRAMBLE There are three basic items required:

1. Secateurs Used for cutting the branches and much more substantial than scissors. Over the years I have purchased a various number of different models from £5 through to £50. As with anything, the more you pay for an item, the better the quality. Because I tend to collect a large quantity of stems (I have about thirty cages), cheap low quality secateurs tend to become blunt much more quickly than expensive ones and I have found that the very cheap secateurs simply fall apart after about six months of use. So, as the secateurs are going to be put to a considerable amount of use, it is advantageous to buy a very good pair that will last for years and although the initial outlay may be high, it pays off because they do not need to be replaced as frequently. If, however your blackberry requirements are small (for only two or three cages), I should imagine that any pair of secateurs would suffice.

2. Gloves for protecting your hands These are always a good idea due to the spiny nature of the food plant. Any substantial pair of gardening gloves would be adequate.

3. A container for transporting the cut stems in I have tried various containers for transporting the cut blackberry stems home and have found some to be much more preferable than others. I have listed my experiences below- Plastic carrier bags. Because of the spines, the thin plastic bags, as given out by supermarkets, can be rapidly reduced to shreds, so generally they are unsatisfactory. Supermarkets do sell for a minimal fee, sturdier carrier bags that are quite robust. These are almost impenetrable to the blackberry spines and therefore can be used again and again. The bags are 'upright' in the design and so the cut stems have to be put in with the stems in a vertical position. This reduces the amount that the bag can hold and it can be difficult trying to put in lots of stems without getting injured.

March 2005 Newsletter 101.12 Website: www.stickinsect.org.uk Paper carrier bags. Given out by the more 'exclusive' shops, these are very good. Not only do the spines not penetrate the thick paper, they are more environmentally friendly than the plastic bags. The main problem is that the bags don't stand up very well to wet weather, falling apart after several soakings. As with the plastic bags, the upright design means the cut stems have to be put in with the stems in a vertical position. This reduces the amount that the bag can hold.

Cardboard box. Great - in that they are free. Get the ones that are used for fruit so that they are shallow but spacious; they will carry a lot of blackberry stems, if they are laid down. They can be surprisingly resilient to rain and spines too

IKEA bags. For those that have shopped at IKEA, you may have seen the very large blue plastic bags that they sell for a nominal amount. For me, if there was ever a perfect bag for collecting stems, then this is it! Because of its capacity, it can hold a large quantity and the spines do not get caught up in the tough plastic. It is much longer than it is deep, providing much easier access and allowing you to lie the stems down as you go, therefore letting you fit a lot more into it than with the more upright type of bags. There are also some fasteners so that the bag can be closed, helping to contain the stems within. It has two sets of handles of different lengths - a normal length, but also should the bag become very full, it has a longer set of handles so that your hands are kept free of the spiny stems popping out of the top as the bag is carried.

CHOOSING WHICH STEMS TO COLLECT Most people tend to harvest the primocanes - the great long unbranched stems clothed in the largest, healthy evergreen leaves and not the second year fruiting branches. To encourage the blackberry plant to produce more of these primocanes, wherever possible always cut back any long shoots that you have harvested to ground level. This will then encourage more to grow up the following spring. Whilst you are at it, it is also wise to cut back any fruiting stems to ground level, once all of the fruits have dropped off (and not before, as the fruits are a valuable source of food for wildlife) and this too will encourage the primocanes.

When harvesting these stems, here are some points to watch out for;

Watch out for spiders - certain species of spiders like to roll up leaves to create a place to hide. Although very small spiders won't do much harm should they find their way into your insect cages, make sure you do not inadvertently carry home any larger specimens as they may kill any small nymphs. Dead and yellowing leaves - any leaves that show signs of yellowing or are dead are best removed - these are not going to be very nutritious - only collect green healthy leaves. Low down leaves - if collecting near pathways and playing fields beware of taking any stems growing low down, simply because the areas may be used by dogs which may have urinated on them. Near busy roads - can be an issue because vehicle pollution can accumulate on, and within, the leaves leading to potential stick insect poisoning. I am aware of a culture of stick insects dying out because they were fed briefly on car polluted leaves and they were the only culture in the UK at the time. Very young shoots - in my experience, phasmids do not like to eat growing shoots but instead prefer fully expanded leaves. This is particularly relevant during the spring and early summer, when blackberries are growing strongly. So when I harvest my stems, I cut back the growing tips to the first fully expanded leaf. Because blackberries do not grow during the late summer, autumn and winter this measure is unnecessary during these periods. Cutting the spines off the lower part of the stem - once I have got my stem, I trim the spines from the lower three to four inches of it. This serves several purposes. It provides a suitable portion, of an otherwise spiny stem, that I can hold onto and it also means I have less difficulty when placing them into the water containers within the tank (more of this later). Aphids (greenfly and blackfly) - can be a troublesome pest because they can leave their sticky honeydew on the clear sides of glass and plastic tanks but as they prefer the succulent growing tips, they can be removed by cutting the tip out.

KEEPING YOUR CUT BLACKBERRY STEMS FRESH If you are able to, once having collected your stems, you can use them immediately. However, on many occasions, there just isn't the time, and so the stems have to be used at a later time or even another day. With leaves collected in the IKEA bag, simply give the leaves a light spraying with water, fold over the top of the bag to seal in the leaves and moisture, and leave in a cool place such as a shady position outside. The bag can be left for two to three days without any harm to the leaves, thereby being fresh when you come to use them.

March 2005 Newsletter 101.13 Website: www.stickinsect.org.uk If the leaves are going to be left over a longer period of time, place the stems into containers of water. This will keep them plump and green until you are ready to use them. It is important during the summer months that you keep them out of full sun and instead try and find a cool shady spot - this will considerably extend their life. In winter, it is quite safe to place the cut stems outside and, even though they may freeze overnight, once brought indoors and thawed, are safe to use.

USING YOUR BLACKBERRY STEMS There are many ways of using the stems when feeding the insects. The following is purely my preferred method and is in no way necessarily how it should be done. Every PSG member has their own method and the following is intended for those who are looking at other possible alternatives to their current system.

Pots for standing the stems in - To begin with I use a clean pot each time. Pots that have been used previously are cleaned using a mild bleach solution and allowed to dry before re-use. With such a procedure, potential disease risks are reduced and, as any florist will tell you, cut plant stems will have a longer life when using clean containers and clean water.

The containers I use are small plastic tubs with lids; the lids having three to four holes drilled into them through which the stems are passed into the water. The holes in the lid are about 2 centimetres across, just large enough for the stems but not large enough for the stick insects to fall through into the water.

Re-cutting the stems - Before the stems are placed into the water, they are re-cut, to expose a freshly cut surface and then placed immediately into it. The reason behind this is that any plant stem that has been cut and then left (this would have been from when they were originally collected) begins to heal over. Also, because of the way the plants physiology works, small air bubbles get sucked up into the cut stem, which can block the water-carrying vessels. By re-cutting the stem and then placing it immediately into the water ensures that there is the maximum surface area exposed for taking up the water and it also reduces the air bubbles caught up in the stem.

Earlier, I mentioned that when you collect blackberry stems, it is useful to remove the spines from the lower three to four inches. This now has another advantage because, as you put the stems through the holes in the lid, there are no spines to get caught as they go in.

Feeding leaves to young nymphs - If you are feeding the leaves to newly hatched nymphs, especially those that are small in size, it is wise to cut the edges of the leaves. This will provide freshly cut surfaces for the nymphs to feed from, much easier than the normal serrated edges. Also, there is the possibility that the cut leaf edges emit an odour, attracting the nymphs to feed should they prove difficult to encourage, for example, Phyllium species.

ANECDOTES ABOUT LEAF COLLECTING Blackberry plants are often found on waste ground and these very areas are sometimes where items can be dumped and go un-noticed for some time until a blackberry leaf collector comes aiong.

A couple of years ago, I had an interesting find when I discovered a discarded carrier bag deep within a clump of blackberries containing a brand new strobe light and black light (emits ultraviolet light), which are used in night clubs. I was able to pass them onto a very grateful person. I was advised that they were worth a considerable sum of money!

However, the following two anecdotes are my favourites. Our very own editor, Mike Smith; sent the first one to me;

/ usually collect bramble early when no-one is around. A few weeks ago I was collecting bramble later during the day, and a group of teenagers came out of the woods, just as I was finishing off. As I was leaving, the teenagers demanded I told them what I was doing, in that loud, assertive way kids have of speaking today. (When I was that age, I didn't say boo to a goose). I suddenly felt it would be very uncool to say I've got them for my stick insects, so I said I was from the Environmental Health Department of Braintree District Council, and I was secretly collecting some bramble samples from the woods for testing. I could see that I had really impressed them; they went very quiet and walked away; so I got on my bike and rode off. About half a mile or so down the lane they caught up with me on their bikes, and asked what I was testing for. I said I was checking for nuclear fallout from the Chernobyl disaster. They then rode off open-mouthed, and I've never seen them in the woods since. March 2005 Newsletter 101.14 Website: www.stickinsect.org.uk There was one interesting anecdote that appeared on stick talk that some of you may have read in a previous Newsletter. It was sent by Shelly McErlane in Canada

/ would collect bramble in a forest close to where I work. This forest is quite large (it is a nature park) and has walking trails scattered throughout. The bramble is usually "better" off the trails so I would park my car at the start of the trail and then hike in (carrying a bucket, flashlight, special gloves to prevent "pokes" and a fairly large set of pruners (they are special Japanese ones and they look a little like a weapon)). It gets dark early here in the winter so I was trudging through the forest just before dusk looking for the good bramble when I started to smell something. I had previously worked in a morgue so I was a little worried about what I was smelling. The wind changed a couple of times so the smell would get stronger then fade away. I came across some great bramble and was cutting it when I stepped around to the side and saw the body. Needless to say, I didn't handle it overly well (picture me screaming and running out of a forest leaving bramble branches in my wake). My mobile phone was in the car and I called the police. When they arrived (lots of them), they were faced with a very jumpy woman who was still clutching her large Japanese pruning shears and wearing gloves. Needless to say, they were curious as to what I was doing in the middle of nowhere, at night, with a bucket, gloves, a large pair of shears and a dead body. I was brought in for "questioning" (for hours). I tried to explain that I raised phasmids (no one knows what they are) and what I was carrying was my bramble cutting "kit". They just looked at me incredulously and said "You raise bugs? On purpose?" They would then write that down dutifully in their notes (one underlined it). One of the police officers runs a "Boy Scout" troop and later phoned me to ask if he could bring over fourteen boys to see all the bugs I raise (I'm assuming he asked after he decided I wasn't a depraved murderer).

For a couple of months I would only go cutting bramble in the daylight, and only along the busy trail, but soon I had used up the "good bramble" and had calmed down. I started to head out into the forest again. I mean, what are the chances of coming across something like that again? One evening (again dusk), I was tramping through the underbrush when I saw a shoe sticking out in front of me. Once my heart started to beat again, I crept closer to see if there was anything attached to the shoe and sure enough, there was a leg. It was getting dark and was raining slightly so I had my hood up and my flashlight on. I went around the leg and saw the body. I was shining my light in its face and kind of leaning over it when it suddenly opened its eyes. Well, I didn't handle that too well either. I screamed and threw myself backwards and the poor fellow leaped up and ran off through the woods. Here was a poor, homeless person hoping to get some sleep in a forest when he was rudely awoken by the sight of a screaming hooded person leaning over him, with a bucket, gloves and huge shears! I never got a chance to apologize! He may still be running!

PLANTING OTHER FOOD PLANTS WITHIN BLACKBERRY AREAS. With a varied collection of stick insects at home, I have to collect a range of different leaves to feed them such as eucalyptus, fern, oak, rhododendron and privet as well as blackberry. Currently, I have to visit different localities to collect each but over the last couple of years I have been gradually planting some of each within all my favourite blackberry areas. These piants should ail be ready for harvesting within the next year or two, thereby making my food collecting trips much shorter and more efficient. So if you have a favourite area of blackberry, yet you have to travel to another area to collect another food plant, can I suggest you try the same?

THE FINAL WORD? A botanist who specialises in the study and identification of blackberry plants is a batologist. I have never been sure what we, who study phasmids, should be called? Phasmidologists perhaps?

I hope this article has been of some interest to you and should you wish to look into the genus Rubus a little more then the following two books may be of use;

1. The New concise British Flora by W. Keble Martin. Published by Bloomsbury Books (1982) Although it only has a couple of pages dedicated to Rubus, it does cover the basic differences and describes quite a few species. 2. Brambles of the British Isles by E. S. Edees and A. Newton. Published by The Ray Society (1988) One of the most comprehensive books available and describing hundreds of different microspecies within the Rubus fruticosus aggregate.

Acknowledgements I really appreciate the help given to me by Janine Fletcher. She proof read this article in super quick time and provided me with some valuable recommendations, without which this article would never have made it to the newsletter. Thank you.

Many thanks Cameron, I think your excellent contribution is the definitive article on collecting bramble - or is it? If readers have any comments on this (or any other article) please send them to me for publishing in the next Newsletter. March 2005 Newsletter 101.15 Website: www.stickinsect.org.uk 0* The Stick Talk list is totally independent of the PSG, though many Stick Talk list members are also members of the PSG. If you want to join the list, e-mail: [email protected] It's totally free of charge; and if you do not like it, just send an e-mail asking to be taken off the list. It is also moderated so By IVl i K e Smith it's secure, safe from abusive language, and there will be no spam. As a Stick Talk list member, you will receive one e-mail Sticktalk is sent to nearly 200 most days. Typical issues raised are in the following short extracts - enjoy. subscribers in around 20 countries worldwide.

DAVE'S PICTURE I'm not convinced ... of Dave's "unknown" stick as a 144 (Ramulus sp.). I've never encountered a 144 with the mottled markings shown, and also the body proportions look wrong; a female 144 has a thicker body while the males are substantially smaller/thinner. I agree the general overall size, the antennae and head shape are reminiscent of a 144 - though from the picture although the antennae appear very short, it also looks like there may be (one?) longer antennae - about 2cm - that would rule it out as one of this species. Maybe Dave can clarify the details here, and also let us know if this is a one-off or if he has a culture of several of these insects. Of course I'm very willing to be proved wrong and learn about a variation of the 144 I've not yet seen (and I have hundreds of the little darlings upstairs!). Derek .

The unidentified stick is definitely not a Baculum sp (PSG 144). In all honesty it looks like a Lonchodes harmani, but I can't be totally sure on that. Marky.

1.1.0 ???? My recollection is that the zoos use this terminology-1 see it frequently on the African cichlid lists- my recollection is male .female . unknown ; so the group includes one male one female and no unknowns. I expect this to be what a pair is, but I have seen angelfish sold as 0.1.1 (we laid eggs but they did not hatch) or 0.2.0 (we both laid eggs) or 0.0.2 (we act happily married but no kids/eggs) or 2.0.0 (we get along and don't like strangers but both of us are boys). John.

CREOXYLUS SPINOSUS. Some time ago someone asked me if I have seen the fly. (I forgot who asked me). Tonight while cleaning the cage I saw one spreading its wings and fly about 50 cm. It was the first time I even have seen one spreading its wings. I was happily surprised. Here are a few pics I took. Rob. [Only one pic shown - Editor].

I'M A STICK INSECT - GET ME OUT OF HERE! With regard to the "Celebrity" ET eating, I'm sure a few complaints to Broadcasting Standards would be taken seriously. I don't think it takes many complaints to have a program taken off air. My objection is not the eating, something that is perfectly acceptable in many cultures (and ETs are probably pretty nutritious) but the fact that it is killing for entertainment. Mike.

Speaking of poisonous insects, these types should be the ones that should have been fed to those celebrities. In nature, a predator learns from bad experience and so will not do the same thing again :-) Benjie.

EXTATOSOMA TIARATUM. I am so happy with my Extatosoma tiaratum nymphs (see picture using my cellphone camera as I was cleaning their cage out). My sister and other members of my family saw them and were all so amazed. These nymphs are from ova given to me by Moira from the breeding programme being conducted by Cameron DK. Ben.

These items are typical of the sort of subjects covered in Stick Talk. I hope you found them interesting. If you have any of your own comments on these or other matters, please send them in to me for inclusion in the next Newsletter.

March 2005 Newsletter 101.16 Website: www.stickinsect.org.uk e

THE PSG SPECIES LIST by Tony James

APOLOGY AND EXPLANATION.

This article originally appeared in the December 2004 PSG Newsletter. Unfortunately, due to a misinterpretation of communication, and a misunderstanding of the contents of the article, some of the species names were updated without Tony's consent, and rather spoilt the point of the article. I've apologised to Tony for this, and we agreed to include the whole original article again. Tony has also taken this opportunity to make some amendments to it himself. Please be aware that this problem was an unfortunate accident, and I've changed my editing procedures to prevent it happening again. Editor.

EE F»SG SPECI I toy Tony James I'm sure everyone who reads this, at some time or other has been asked, or has asked, "Have you got PSG 122?" or some other PSG number, and that you are all aware of the PSG Species List, but what are we really using it for

It has become the general way we refer to species in our Group, and it is interesting to note that the references have also been creeping outside to other groups as well, appearing on listings or species descriptions on the Internet. Try putting PSG and a number into one of the web Search Engines, like Google, and see how many entries not directly in the PSG comes up! As mentioned in my article in the March 2004 issue of our Newsletter, this is very much as it was intended when we first started the PSG, but I thought it worth re-visiting the aims, pitfalls, and ideas which have occurred since The List's inception.

The Species List has been administered by a number of people throughout the years of the PSG, starting with Jim Ashby and now currently residing in the hands of Phil Bragg, but what was the aim of it really? Over the later years it seems to be used only as an incomplete Culture List - there are many other species which have been in culture for years not yet on this list - but now species are only added if Phil gets specimens to check and keep in his reference collection. However, as far as I know, no-one else can easily see these specimens if they need to be referred to, so this is not really helping the rest of the Group. If anything, we should be placing any reference material into a central repository, such as the Natural History Museum where ajl entomologists can make an appointment to see them, and also to associate the material with historic specimens already there. This Culture List is also not the only reason it was originally implemented, although, generally, it would be great if we could keep all the species on the list in culture.

When we originally started to populate the Species List, we were painfully aware that we had species coming into members' hands which either had no name (as with a totally new, or un-identified species) or where the possible name was in dispute (now where have I heard that before?) between Taxonomists in our Group. To overcome the uncertainty, and to give the "ordinary members" some common reference to use whilst the Taxonomists "thought" about it, we assigned any species coming into the group a PSG Number. It was not intended to just cover successful cultures, or only identified species, but was also to be used to make a source of reference information for species which were unsuccessful, so that we had an historic record of what had been tried, and our collective successes and failures.

March 2005 Newsletter 101.17 Website: www.stickinsect.org.uk So, why bother with species which didn't work out? There is an obvious answer when you think about it. Take the following example

Suppose 'Jim' goes off to some country and collects some species. Two readily eat Bramble or some other food-plant and enter our Group as a successful culture - Great!! Three other species collected refuse this ubiquitous Stick-Insect gourmet food, so Jim begins to try all sorts of other food-plants he can get his hands on. One species reluctantly eats something like Rose, one nibbled on a type of Grass, and the last refused anything he could try. The Rose-feeder goes into a very hesitant culture (which, we usually refer to as "Tentative"), but then dies out after two generations, the "Grass-feeder" culture survived a little longer before dying out one by one, whilst the last species became history from the start. Why bother to give these a PSG Number?

Well, suppose also a few years later, 'Fred', another active PSG member decides to go and explore this same country that 'Jim' had previously. He could go there without checking if there is anything known about the insects, or he could research to see if anything has been done before. He knows there are already two species in culture from this destination, but doesn't know who got them into culture in the PSG, and is not aware of any other species which were collected there. He goes out to this country, and, as well as finding the two species already in culture, finds three "new" species not recorded. He tries them on Bramble with no success, two species die before he can try anything else, the third he manages to get to take Rose, but half of his collected insects die within the first week. This culture also dies out after the first generation. Sound familiar? Has this been a waste of effort (and money) going there? My answer is an emphatic "Yes!"

It was to try to avoid this sort of problem that the Species List was originally produced. Not only did we include species which were "lost", but we were also keen to know who had acquired the source material, how and when. With previously tried species recorded, we also had a preliminary set of trial data to call on - 'Fred' could contact 'Jim' about the lost species to find out what problems were experienced. 'Fred' now has some data to start with and the chances are that he may be able to find the previously lost species and also find a successful food-plant without wasting time repeating what 'Jim' had to discover, and having his collected individuals dying in vain. The other scenario is that 'Jim' might have been unlucky with a single specimen (male or female) which didn't produce a viable culture (e.g. ecdysed badly, a male only, or just a single female nymph which ended up unmated as an adult) although it was feeding OK on an identified foodplant. 'Fred' might well be able to find new specimens and get this species into culture immediately, by knowing the initial findings.

The best result from this is that the "lost" species will finally become "culture" species, and our list will reflect this as time goes by. It might aiso focus intended explorers in our group if it is known that a number of (possibly) interesting species are in a particular area and need further attempts to get them into culture. It also gives them a way to find out more about them before going to their destination.

OK, so this again sound like we are PSG No 1 ova, Carausius morosus aiming to make The List a Culture II — List. Indirectly, it should, but it will always contain failed species for some reason or other. It could finally be useful data, as the main aim of our getting species into culture is to understand the species life cycle and make a proper record of it. Unlike early entomologists, who returned with dead specimens which were quite often described as different species from males and females which looked different, we now can understand the variability of individual species and record all stages, so our group knowledge should become more complete, and extend our scientific knowledge more completely.

So how can we improve the usefulness of the Species List? As well as the existing information, it would also be useful to include information like:-

Previous identifications (right or wrong) and reasons for updating (synonyms, homonyms, identification error, taxonomic reviews). March 2005 Newsletter 101.18 Website: wvw.stickinsect.org.uk Dates original live material were first acquired (into the UK or Europe). Source Persons. Persons originating/establishing the cultures. Method of acquiring the culture material (e.g. wild collection, or importing from overseas contact). Zoogeographical Region code (I use this a lot in my own computer version of the list)

This would be our main reference material for everyone. Particular data be updated readily, and can be sorted from a main list (on a computer) according to a number of criteria, e.g. selected from "Culture", "Tentative", or "Lost" and also organised into groups like Zoogeographical Regions. These sub-divisions can be separated into individual lists as needed and unwanted columns "hidden" or removed as necessary.

Possibly, with the power of the Internet, we could link the data with a web-database so that latest information can be obtained easily by anyone with a computer access, but it should be hosted at a URL which is unlikely to cease after a few years.

Looking back over our early Species Lists, it was interesting to see the changes as it extended with the later versions. It is also notable that the list was originally titled zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA"Phasmid Species Cultured / Attempted', a title which stayed until 1984, when it became "The Species List'. From around 1997 the title seemed to become more uncertain, with the "PSG Culture List' appearing on lists at times. The first list that I have is an undated document with 35 species listed. It must have been a first approximation as a subsequent list dated January 1982 was extended to 46 species and they had been rearranged into the approximate chronological order of introduction to the UK - the numerical order we know of today. However, I'm sure that, when we do get new issues, it is not the criteria for later entries in recent lists. At the beginning, we were working on identifying the culture histories and I have a number of supplementary lists from members compiling this information as it became available.

To give you an example, I have included the first 25 species of an early list (around 1982) with the data included and to bring it up to date, I have shown the historic identification paths for the species name as well. One example included in the "Species List' originally referred to as PSG 24 - Baculum impigrum (which came into the UK via a European source). A few years after this came to the PSG, it was decided that it was the same species as PSG 5 - Baculum extradentatum, and hence referred to it in the list. It is currently a double entry, but there have been times when what appears to be the same culture has turned out to actually be close, but different, species collected from different areas of the world. Keeping the separate source records (and cultures), could therefore be useful, as they can still be updated as further information becomes available and a record path will always be there for reference. This is particularly important when apparently the same species is collected from a number of different geographical areas, as it could quite easily turn out that there are sub-races present which would be important as our understanding of species distribution improves.

Whatever we do, we must remember that, although many members just like keeping our fascinating chosen insect group, there are many members who have put time, money, and effort into making a large selection of species available to everyone and to increase our knowledge about them. Since the PSG has started, the "Species List" has extended continuously as more and more species are collected, so it is our collective responsibility to ensure that we use our Group to preserve the records for generations more enthusiasts into the future.

March 2005 Newsletter 101.19 Website: www.stickinsect.org.uk Phasmid Species Name Histories & Sources 1 25 Species

No. Name Country Year Source

1 Carausius morosus (Sinety) India. 1898/1911 Culture originally via Sinety from French missionaries at Palmi Hills, Tamil Nadu. 2 Pseudodiacantha macklottii (de Haan) Java. 1950? Culture via London Zoo, imported in 1946 Ex. Orxines macklottii (de Haan) 3 Bacillus rossius (Rossi) Europe. 1963? Source Unknown - Sold at Worldwide Butterflies, Ex. Bacillus gallicus Yeovil. 4 Sipyloidea sipylus (Westwood) Madagascar. Pre 1964? Source Unknown - Sold at Worldwide Butterflies, Yeovil

5 Medauroidea extradentata (Brunner) Vietnam. 1965? From London Zoo, Imported by dealer Mr Rose in Ex. Baculum extradentatum (Brunner) mid-1950's 6 Acanthoxyla geisovii (Kaup) New Zealand & UK. Early Culture attempted from Tresco Abbey Gardens, Scilly Ex. Acanthoxyla prasina (de Haan) 1900's? Isles, originally imported from NZ on plants. 7 Clitarchus hookeri (White) New Zealand & UK Early Culture attempted from Tresco Abbey Gardens, Scilly 1900's? Isles, originally imported from NZ on plants 8 Bactrododema tiaratum Stal Zimbabwe. 1965? Via Mr Ashley from Dr Pinhey (Rhodesia, Africa) Ex. Bactrododema sp. 9 Extatosoma tiaratum (Macleay) Australia. 1965? Via London Zoo, eggs received from A.M.A. Low received from Queensland. 10 Phyllium bioculatum Gray Java. Mid60's Imported by various dealers

11 Cladomorphus phyllinus Gray Brazil. 1968 Cultured by Judith Marshall from eggs sent by Ex. Phibalosoma phyllinum (Gray) Dr.L.Otero (Brazil) 1 12 Anisomorpha buprestoides (Stoll) U.S.A. Early 70's Cultured by Judith Marshall from eggs via J.R.Bradley. 13 Acrophylla wuelflngi (Redtenbacher) Australia. Early 70's Imported by dealers.

| 14 Eurycnema goliath (Gray) Australia. 1970's From London Zoo

Ctenomorphodes briareus (Gray) Australia. 1970's Collected from wild - Allan Harman 11 5 | 16 Carausius sechellensis (Bolivar) Seychelles. 1983 Collected from wild - Allan Harman

17 Caribbiopheromera jamaicana Zompro Jamaica. Early 70's Cultured via London Zoo, collected by Newmark Ex. Unidentified West Indian. "Warty" brothers.

18 Heteropteryx dilatata (Parkinson) West Malaysia. 1975 Is1 imported eggs from wild - Allan Harman, Others imported later. Cultured at London Zoo. 19 Lonchodes brevipes Gray West Malaysia. 1974 Collected from wild - Allan Harman Ex. L.pterodactylus 20 Anchiale maculata (Olivier) Papua New Guinea. 1977 Collected from wild - Allan Harman

21 Extatosoma popa Stal Papua New Guinea. 1977 Collected from wild - Allan Harman

: 22 Ramulus thaii Hausleithner Thailand. 1976 Collected from wild - Antony Julian-Ottie Ex. Baculum thaii Hausleithner j Ex. Unidentified Baculum sp. 23 Eurycantha calcarata Lucas Papua New Guinea. 1977 Collected from wild - Allan Harman

24 Now considered same as 5 Asia Late 70's Culture obtained via Europe Ex. Baculum impigrum 25 Phobaeticus serratipes (Gray) West Malaysia. 1980 A.James from eggs obtained via E.L.G. Ex. Pharnacia acanthopus Ex. Tirachoidea canton

N.B. Species names vised, since we started the list were not necessarily the correct scientific name for the specimens listed, but were sometimes the "best guess" identification at the time from limited available information. It does not always follow that "Ex" names were synonyms of the current name. Only recently has a lot of revision work been done to tie down the most likely current name for the species listed. This is why the Species Number is important to allow historic continuity, especially when the species is a long standing culture.

March 2005 Newsletter 101.20 Website: www.stickinsect.org.uk THE NEWARK SHOW by zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBARev Joy Gartside

The [winter] Newark Show was held this year [2004] on the 19th December at the Grove Sports Centre in Balderton. We got up in the dark to go to the show, at the unearthly hour of 6.30am, with creatures to sort and make presentable for display. We were also taking my toy designs from Joybunny's Art Designs [http://www.joybunnysartdesigns.co.uk].

After 2 hrs of getting ourselves and our pets ready we set off, but the car was so iced up I couldn't see, so we had to de-ice the car and try again. Having missed the turning off the M62 we had to take a detour to get to Balderton via Sleaford, but we arrived on time, if a little frazzled. I was beginning to wonder if the rest of the day would be ok

We had a warm welcome from Paul Holt, as always, and when we had our stall set up we decided to have a look around the show. All the regulars were there, including Neville and his insects, and Jim Tweedle's Jungle Designs. There were also some very pretty wooden parrots on show, from really big to very small, unfortunately the stall holder didn't seem to sell any which I felt was a shame.

For ourselves, we had decided to hold an instant raffle with a proportion of the proceeds going to charity, we picked for this occasion a local charity the Haworth Cat Rescue. Sorry, no photos of the event. Here is a photo I took of Joy, and my daughter Tracey, People were let in from 12 noon, and from then on we were at a previous Newark Show - Editor. quite busy and the rest of the stall holders seemed busy too. Our raffle went really well and we raised £11 for the rescue after the prize money had been taken out. But, as can be seen from the raffle takings there were not a lot of people visiting, it was certainly down on the last show in the summer, as Paul himself admitted.

About 2 hours into the show, a PSG member came in and asked where the PSG stand was, (unfortunately Mike had to pull out of the show through illness). So it seemed Joybunny's Art Designs became an extension of the PSG stand for the afternoon, and we took the member's sticks and handed out them out free, to responsible members of the public. Paul Mansfield also brought in a lot of sticks for the same purpose. I want to say on behalf of the public who received the sticks a big thank you as they were surprised to find that they were free. (I don't know the other member's name).

Once again children were fascinated by the sticks. I also took my cockroaches along, and one little boy decided to hold one, much to his mothers disgust at the thought. One big thing that happened towards the end of the day really for me sums up the philosophy of Joybunny's; a mother and her children came to buy insects, the little boy hated bugs and didn't even want to come to the show. While the mother and daughter were deciding on a suitable stick, the little boy was watching Richard [Joy's husband] with an asperrimus on his hand. The little boy was even brave enough to have this stick on his hand, and his mother was amazed. If we can make this happen for one person at a show, we feel this is what it is really about: educating people that bugs aren't nasty, and something to be frightened of.

On a closing note I really hate spiders, and Jim Tweedle had a Pink Toe he finally persuaded me to give a stroke to, and I'm glad I did because I learnt that with spiders they aren't all bad. I well remember Mike's Curly Haired tarantula, that was nice too, but I actually touched the Pink Toe - and almost bought it! See, I told you I was famous! Seems as good a place as any to put Joy's latest, excellent cartoon. Editor. March 2005 Newsletter 101.21 Website: www.stickinsect.org.uk 9

18TH CENTURY PHASMID PLATES BY SEBA by Paul D. Brock

On a recent research trip to see the Harvard University Collection in Cambridge, near Boston, U.S.A., I obtained an interesting book from a Harvard bookstore for a cut-price $9.99. 'Butterflies & Insects' by Albertus Seba (1665-1736), published by Taschen, Koln, in 2004, is a very attractive book, appealing not only to naturalists, but also art lovers. This 127 page, A5 book has a two-page introduction in English and three other languages and a representative selection

of plates from the fourth volume of a Thesaurus depicting Seba's collection. If interested, the Taschen edition should be widely available in many countries. Seba's Thesaurus of 446 plates appeared in Amsterdam from 1734-1765, probably published with the plates in black-and-white, with buyers having the work painted at their own expense. A .,».,. I.JI,,,. ,-„!»,,.;,,«„ complete coloured reprint is available in a 636 page book 'Cabinet of Natural Curiosities' also published by Taschen at £135.

There are several plates of interest to the phasmid specialist, with prominent reproduction on the endpaper. Unfortunately phasmids failed to make the cover, which has an abbreviated title 'Butterflies'. With a little imagination, it is possible to identify species with some degree of certainty. For example, page 107 appears to show Anchiale maculata, a common species occasionally obtained in the 1700's.

Seba's phasmids may be in the St. Petersburg collection, but are not labeled.

[See the page in full colour on The Colour Page.]

///;/;;;///;/;;;/;;///

The following jokes are compliments of Derek TP, and first published in Stick Talk. Actually, I think they are rather good! Well, can you do better? .. .answers on a postcard, please...

Q: Where do stick insects lay their eggs A: Ova there!

Two stick insects were walking along the top of a Cornflakes packet. Suddenly one of them starts running as fast as he can. The other one eventually catches up with him and says "Why did you do that?"

The first one replies "DidnN t you see what it said? Tear along the dotted line".

Whilst Eurycanthas and Extatasomas are quite happy feeding near one another, do you know why Carausius morosusprefer to feed alone? They like to eat in privet.

This young lad of a 144 went out on the town one night, chatting up the girls, going to the bars. He had a lot to drink and got into a few fights. He ended up completely legless.

Q. Why can Stick Insects walk and see so very well? A. Well, they would, with six legs an' ten eyes.

March 2005 Newsletter 101.22 Website: www.stickinsect.org.uk JPSG MERCHANDI SE

Pens - 40p each + P&P Stickers - 60p each + P&P PENS Car Window Stickers - 60p each + P&P 40D (P&P per order on all the above UK - 25p, Overseas - 40p)

T SHIRTS STICKERS 60p With the following designs - The size of a CD. Either sticky on front, for use in car windows, or sticky on back for sticking onto things. Oreophoetes peruana PSG No 84 Aretaon asperrimus PSG No 118 Phyllium bioculatum PSG No 10

£6.50each + P&P ( UK £1.00, Overseas £1.50) Sizes - large and Xtra-large only (at present)

All our PSG merchandise is very good value for money - especially the T Shirts. Yet sales are very slow. Please take a look and consider a Phyllium Aretaon Oreophoetes bioculatum asperrimus peruana PSG purchase. PSG No 10 PSG No 116 No 84 (£6.50) (£6.5f» f £6.501

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 above items will usually also be available at the Summer and the AGM/Winter Meetings, prices as above, but you save on the P&P. Also available at these meetings should be a selection of Stick Insect books, at prices lower than the publishers' prices.

BACK COPIES OF NEWSLETTERS FOR SALE. Back copies of all Newsletters are now available at £2 each, or £1.50 each for copies before September 2001. Prices include postage in UK only. [Overseas members need to contact Paul Brock for details of the postage costs]. Copying will be done in batches within 2 to 3 months, so members need to be patient. The culture list refers out to which Newsletters cover each species.

BOOK: REARING STICK AND LEAF INSECTS by Ron Baxter. I understand that Ron took 10 copies of his book to the AGM and all were sold, leaving some people disappointed. The good news is that Ron is offering members his book at a very special price: £13.50 including P&P (UK only - overseas members need to contact Ron for a price). Send a cheque to Ron Baxter, Chudleigh Publishing, 45 Chudleigh Crescent, Seven Kings, llford, Essex, IG3 9AT. Tel: 0208 590 3285. [The PSG do not promote Ron's book above any other book on sticks - in particular Paul Brock and Phil Bragg also publish excellent books on the subject. However, in my personal opinion, Ron's book is a good read, and if you are interested in egg identification, the ova section of Ron's book is second to none. Editor.]

BOOK REVIEWS: If any member has purchased or read a book on stick insects, including those that have been reviewed in the PSG Newsletter before, please consider writing a review of it for the Newsletter, so other members can benefit from your experience. Editor. March 2005 Newsletter 101.23 Website: www.stickinsect.org.uk

«s EXCHANGE S

Do not forgot that your spare, ova (eggs) should be sent to ourzyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA Livestock co-ordinator, Jarv Fletcher. Also, any requests for ova,, etc may go to, Jan too:; 125 Malvern Drive, North Common, Warmley, Bristol, BS30 8UY. Tel: 01179 604917, e-mail: [email protected].

WANTED: Does anyone have any spare PSG117,zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA Dares ulula nymphs, please? Thank you, Rachael Marriott, 1 Ashridge Way, Edwalton, Nottingham, NG12 4FL. E-mail: [email protected].

OUR LIVESTOCK COORDINATOR, Janine Fletcher, advises that she has a surplus, of the following ova (eggs) PSG nos: 1, 4, 9, 15, 23, 32, 66, 73, 89, 101, 118, 144, 169, 173, 174, 181, 183, 195, 202, 208, 211, 214, 215, 221, 224, 227, 234, 235, 237, 240, 246, 251, 252, 253, Pteryoxylus crassus, Lonchodes glohosus, Diapherode.s gigantea, TracbyaretaQn sp 7 255, Baculum magnum, Bostra lobata, Baculum sp. (Laos) and Lopaphus sp. (Laos). SURPLUS NYMPHS, PSG Nos: 1, 32, 73, 173, 183, and Diapherodes gigantea.

The following ova were, wanted: PSG Nos: 2, 10, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 29, 31, 35,59, 60, 6,9, 70, 72, 76, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 110, 111, 112, 117, 125, 126, 127, 128, 154, 177, 186, 190, 193, 199, 247, & 258. 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. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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.

NEXT NEWSLETTER (June 20Q5)

Please send all contributions to the Editor (anytime, but by 15th May for a

place in the June, 2005 PSG Newsletter, 1st May tozyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA guarantee a placer- Mike Smith, 13 Runnacles Street, Silver End, Witham, Essex, CM8 3QN. e-mail: [email protected]. Tel: 01 376 584388.

I find MS Word as an E-mail attachment, or on floppy disk or CD, easiest to cope with. I also prefer the pictures inserted into an MS Word document. I can however deal with a wide range of other formats - including handwritten (but handwritten articles may be delayed as it takes me much longer to process them).

(Unless the contributor specifically requests otherwise): All contributions to the Newsletter will be deemed to be submitted for use in the PSG Website (and vice versa), the Belgian-Dutch Phasma for translation, the German Arthropoda for translation, and Lukasz Czok's Polish website for translation (www.phasmids.prv.pl). The editor may make minor changes to contributions where deemed necessary.

March 2005 Newsletter 101.25 Website: www.stickinsect.org.uk Membership Application 2005

If you know of anyone interested in joining the PSG, please give them a copy of this page.

Since its formation early in 1980, The Meetings - are held twice a year, usually Phasmid Study Group has expanded to at The Natural History Museum, London. more than 350 members in 30 countries, Here members can talk with fellow enthu- including people of all ages and ranging siasts and give and receive livestock. from beginners to professional entomol- The Group also provided displays at sev- ogists. The purpose of the Group is to eral entomological exhibitions. encourage studies of all aspects of Phasmids (stick and leaf insects). Since New members - will receive Newsletters phasmids have received little attention and Phasmid Studies issued in that year. until recently, there is scope for anyone To ease administration, membership in- to provide further information. formation is stored on computer and subject to the restriction of the Data Newsletter - is issued quarterly and con- Protection Act. tains new items, livestock information, details of exhibitions and meetings, and Membership Secretary a variety of short articles on all aspects Paul Brock. "Papillion", 40 Thorndike Road, of phasmids. Slough, SL2 1SR, UK, Tel: 01753 579447 Phasmid Studies - is issued biannually. E-mail: [email protected] It contains longer articles on all aspects of phasmids with emphasis on natural history, captive breeding and behav- ioural studies. Abstracts and occasionally reprints from other publications may also be included.

Livestock distribution - There are now many species being kept by members, and new ones are continually added - many of the Group's species are not available commercially. The Livestock Co-ordinator helps to distribute surplus stock to members who want them. Members are not permitted to sell any livestock they obtain through the Group.

Please send your name address, telephone No, and subscription* to:

Paul Brock. Membership Secretary & Treasurer, PSG, "Papillon", 40 Thorndike Road, Slough, Berks. SL2 1SR. (Tel: 01753 579447).

United Kingdom £9.00 Europe £11.00 Overseas £12.00

*Payments can be made by Cheque, Postal Order, International Postal Giro, or a cheque in £ sterling drawn against a London Bank. Cheques, etc, should be made payable to "The Phasmid Study Group". PLEASE NOTE, unfortunately, we are unable to accept Eurocheques.

Cash may be sent in your own currency, but remember to add £3 for exchange rate variations. There is a danger that bank notes will get lost in the post so, if you must send bank notes, this is entirely at your own risk. It is recommended that if you must send cash then do it by registered post.

Payment can also be made on our website using Paypal (www.stickinsect.orq.uk>. The Status of Rhaphiderus scabrosus (Percheron, 1829)

March 2005 Newsletter 101.26 Website: www.stickinsect.org.uk