Phyllium Giganteum Male by Mark Jackson the Stick
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The Phasmid Study Group JUNE 2014 NEWSLETTER No 132 ISSN 0268-3806 © Paul Brock Haaniella scabra male, head & thorax. (See Page 28). Page Content INDEX Page Content 2. The Colour Page 16. Phyllium giganteum Male 3. Editorial 16. The Stick “Tip Exchange” 3. Obituary: Michael Lazenby 17. Rare Fossils of Phasmids 3. The PSG Committee 17. New Book on LHISI 4. Livestock Report 18. Phyllium giganteum Sexual Reproduction? 4. PSG Crossword Puzzle 20. Sticky the Movie 5. Agenda for PSG Summer Meeting 21. Insect Man at Prances 6. Sticks 21. Crossword Puzzle Answers 6. Correction to December PSG Newsletter 22. PSG Winter Meeting & AGM 2014 7. PSG Winter Meeting 2014 23. Contributions to the Newsletter 8. Phasmid Growth Study 23. How to Join the PSG 9. Stick Talk 24. Giant Female Phasmid Captured in Australia 9. UV Light for Phasmid Cages? 25. National Insect Week 23-29 June 2014 9. PSG Membership Forms 25. Diary Dates 10. Harper’s Magazine Article on Phasmids 26. Sticks do not Stick 15. Unusual Mating Behaviour Bacteria horni 27. Penang Butterfly Farm 15. PSG Summer Meeting 2014 28. Photos of Phasmids. 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, and 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 COLOUR PAGE! Marmessoidea male. (See page 28). Haaniella scabra male. (See page 28). Jane Hamberg’s picture of a stick insect found on 3.4.14, at Newquay in Cornwall, England. (Copyright Alexander Karas). Mating pair of Macleay's Spectre Extatosoma tiaratum on Muntingia calabura, Beerwah, SE Queensland, Australia, 13 February, 2008. Good match for bright green leaves – our ETs are usually brown. A PHASMID’S FOOT: Scanning electron microscopy image of conical, micrometre-sized outgrowths that cover the tarsal ‘heel pads’ of some stick insects (false colours). Image by David Labonte & Adam Robinson. See page 26. Marmessoidea female. (See page 28). Table of giganteum eggs and A Cloaked Phasmatodean Insect from hatching. (See page 19). the Early Cretaceous . (See page 17). Is this species the longest stick in the world? (See page 24). June 2014 Website: www.phasmid-study-group.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/PhasmidStudyGroup Newsletter 132.2 Editorial Welcome to the June PSG Newsletter. (See it in full colour on the PSG website). If this bumper issue does not have something for everyone I’ll eat my hat! Many thanks to everyone that contributed and made this issue so special. PSG Summer Meeting. Please be aware we have our PSG Summer Meeting on ……………….. Saturday, 5th July 2014. Judith has lined up another great meeting. There will be two talks, a “Name the Species” competition, a film, and everybody’s favourite…the Livestock Exchange, also many other things. It is again in the Flett Theatre, but sadly I cannot attend this time (so please send me reports and photos of it for the next Newsletter). The agenda is on page 5, for first-timers please read my notes on page 15 – both show the address of the meeting, and for easy access use the Exhibition Road entrance. Remember to bring your PSG Membership Card (or you will be issued with a temporary one on the day). In This Newsletter. Seems that Phyllium giganteum has started producing males, see the two articles on the subject on pages 16 and 18. We also have found an elusive female of the enormous Ctenomorpha gargantua see page 24 for details. One of my favourite articles is from the 1894 Harper’s Magazine – this article on phasmids is as fresh today as when it was written, read it on page 10. 2014 PSG Membership Cards. If you have paid your membership dues this year and did not attend the January meeting to collect your 2014 membership card, it will be enclosed with this Newsletter. Paul Brock’s Book: A Comprehensive Guide to Insects of Britain and Ireland, as advertised in the December 2013 Newsletter, will be available for sale at the July PSG Meeting @ £20 - retail is £28.95. Limited numbers so contact Judith to reserve a copy. Anyone missing out can order from Paul for collection at the AGM. Regards to all, Mike Smith (PS Please contribute to the next PSG Newsletter, see page 23 for details). Michael Lazenby by Judith Marshall We were sorry to hear that Michael died peacefully on 26 April, nine days after his 85th birthday, and send our sincere sympathy to his wife Frances; they were together for nearly 50 years. In 1980 Michael and Frances were among the first members of the PSG (membership number 3), and were already much involved in rearing and studying many species of stick insect. They were always enthusiastic about rearing species new to culture, whilst ensuring that existing species were handed out to those who would care for them appropriately at PSG, AES and other meetings. The photo (right) shows Michael displaying friends at a local Queen’s Park Day. Michael and Frances were editors of the Newsletter for editions 20 – 49, from 1984 to 1991, contributing much themselves with observational notes, and all issues are available to read online via the PSG website. Phasmid Studies Editor: Ed Baker and Judith Marshall. (For Judith’s contact details see “Chairman”, above). Ed’s details: The Chairman: Judith Marshall. The Natural History Museum, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD. Tel: Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD. Tel: 0207 942 5610, E-mail: 0207 942 5975. E-mail: phasmidstudies@phasmid-study- [email protected]. or [email protected]. group.org. Treasurer/Membership Secretary: Paul Brock. 2 Greenways Exhibitions: Paul Jennings. 89 Brackensdale Avenue, Derby, Road, Brockenhurst, SO42 7RN, E-mail: p.brock@phasmid- DE22 4AF. Tel: 01332 343477. E-mail: exhibitions@phasmid- study-group.org or [email protected]. study-group.org. Newsletter Editor: Mike Smith. 13 Runnacles Street, Silver End, Livestock Coordinators: Mark and Ian Bushell. 43 Bradford Witham, Essex, CM8 3QN. E-mail: newsletter@phasmid-study- Road, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, BA14 9AD. Tel: 01225 747047. E- group.org. mail: [email protected]. Webmaster: Natalie Ford (with assistance from Mike Strick, Merchandising: Mike Strick and Daren Moss. E-mail: Chris Pull, Nick Wadham, & Ed Baker). Contact via the PSG [email protected]. Web page, or E-mail: [email protected]. Other members: Phil Bragg and Ian Abercrombie. PSG Mission Statement: To study and culture stick insects and leaf insects (phasmids), publish results, and foster the free exchange of species, allowing members to share livestock appropriate to their experience. June 2014 Website: www.phasmid-study-group.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/PhasmidStudyGroup Newsletter 132.3 LIVESTOCK REPORT by Ian Bushell AVAILABLE LIVESTOCK – June 2014 to Summer Meeting July 2014 The following species are currently available from Mark and Ian (contact details below): Key: N – Nymph A – Adult O – Ova 284 Pharnacia ponderosa O 9 Extatosoma tiaratum O 294 Carausius detractus AO 70 Haaniella scabra AN 297 Hypocyrtus vittatus N 73 Phenacephorus cornucervi N 299 Neophasma subapterum ON 82 Rhaphiderus spiniger N 301 Brasidas foveolatus N 90 Rhamphosipyloidea gorkomi N 303 Orxines xiphias N 99 Epidares nolimetangere N 308 Onchestus rentzi O 160 Trachythorax maculicollis N 313 Manduria systropedon NO 161 Phenacephorus sepilokensis N 328 Andropromachus scutatus AN 163 Sipyloidea larryi OAN 329 Aretaon sp. 'PALAWAN' AN 182 Oxyartes lamellatus O 331 Dares philippinicus N 183 Sceptrophasma hispidulum N 337 Marmessoidea sp. Cuc Phuong O 203 Tirachoidea biceps O 340 Neohirasea fruhstorferi NO 205 Phaenopharos struthioneus O 342 Mnesilochus sp. Real O 221 Sceptrophasma langkawiensis NO 343 Myronides sp. Peleng Is Sulawesi N 236 Dimorphodes catenulatus N 344 Neohirasea nana N 248 Pylaemenes guangxiensis N 346 Paracalynda utilaensis O 264 Pseudophasma velutinum N 352 Sipyloidia biplagiata ONA 265 Abrosoma johorensis AN 353 Xenophasmina simile O 266 Agamemnon cornutus AO 355 Mnesilochus sp. Nabutaran OA 275 Lobolibethra panguana N Ramulus sp. Da Krong N 281 Pterinoxylus crassus O Candovia robinsoni O Eggs and insects are free, but the member pays for the postal charges. Eggs will be sent by 1st Class post. Live insects will be sent, UK only, by next day/recorded/tracked delivery [currently about £7 a parcel]. Save postage and disappointment, pre-order for delivery at the Summer Meeting. Members' Surplus Livestock: Your surplus livestock can be sent to our address, but please get in touch before sending any insects or eggs, particularly if the parcel is too large to fit through a letter box. Please also include your name and address as well as what species have been sent: Mark & Ian Bushell, 43 Bradford Road, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, BA14 9AN, Tel: 01225 767047. E-mail: [email protected]. Members' Surplus Livestock at the PSG Summer Meeting: We are looking forward to the Livestock Exchange at the Summer Meeting, but the usual pleas are made. All livestock and eggs are welcome but please ensure that: Each box is labelled with the species name & PSG No if it has one. If you are unsure there are plenty of experts available to advise you. Also include data on foodplants and notes of how you have kept them – useful for both the novice and the old hand. Check before you leave that all your stock has gone, and if it has not then please take it home with you (unless previously arranged with us). An Easy PSG Crossword By Mike Smith (Answers on Page 21.) June 2014 Website: www.phasmid-study-group.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/PhasmidStudyGroup Newsletter 132.4 PSG SUMMER MEETING Saturday, 5th July 2014 THE FLETT THEATRE & ATRIUM AREA, NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, CROMWELL ROAD, LONDON, SW7 5BD, UK.