The Phasmid

Study Group

DECEMBER 2014 NEWSLETTER No 133 ISSN 0268-3806

2015 Membership Renewal Due. No price increase! See Enclosed Form, page 6.

© Paul Brock Pseudophasma lakini photo by Curtis Lakin (See Page 7)

INDEX

Page Content Page Content

2. The Colour Page 9. PSG Census 3. Editorial 10. Food Plant Consumption Survey 3. Obituary: John Sellick 12. Identification of PSG 332 3. The PSG Committee 15. Alien Phasmids Spreading on the Isles of Scilly 4. Livestock Report 18. The Jungle Nymph 4. Name the Species Competition 19. Wordsearch Answers 5. Agenda, PSG AGM & Winter Meeting 20. Recent Additions to the Culture List 6. Membership Renewal 21. Phasma Meeting Report 7. Return of the Phasmid Book Review 21. The Stick Tip Exchange 7. A Note on Pseudophasma lakini 22. Stick Tripadvisor 8. PSG Meeting Livestock Exchange 22. Sticktalk 8. Stick Countries Wordsearch 22. Contributions to the Newsletter 8. PSG AGM & Winter Meeting Details 22. Diary Dates 9. London Zoo Visit 23. Photos of Phasmid Eggs 9. NZ Book Review 24. Lichen or Ets?

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!

ALL PHOTOS, ABOVE AND LEFT, ARE BY INGRID HAYETTE: Top Left – Male & Female Tirachoidea biceps Top Middle Left – PSG278 Phyllium philippinicum Top Middle Right – PSG339 M&F Medaurini sp Top Right – PSG281 Pterinoxylus crassus Bottom Left – Female Tirachoidea biceps Bottom Middle & Right – PSG278 Phyllium philippinicum

Close up portion of Below, two photos from photo on left. the AES Exhibition 4.10.14. A few familiar faces here! Including Paul Brock (top photo, on left) doing some book signing. Photos by Hele Brok Pauls sister. Sadly, no-one sent in a report on the show.

Carausius morosus End of abdomen

Clitarchus hookeri End of abdomen

Acanthoxyla inermis End of abdomen

Acanthoxyla geisovii Opercular spine

See page 15 for details on the above photos by Paul Brock.

December 2014 Website: www.phasmid-study-group.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/PhasmidStudyGroup Newsletter 133.2 Editorial

Welcome to the December PSG Newsletter. (See it in full colour on the PSG website). And on behalf of the PSG Committee, may I wish you all season’s greetings for a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous and Happy New Year. The Newsletter consists of a bumper 24 pages I sincerely hope there is something here for everyone.

PSG Winter Meeting & AGM. Please be aware we have our PSG Winter Meeting and AGM on Saturday, 24th January 2015, and it will again be held in the Flett Theatre and Atrium area. Judith has lined up another great meeting. There will be talks (arrangements for talks not yet finalised, see PSG Website for update), a simplified Nae the Speies competition, everods favourite…the Livestock Exchange, and other things – see you there! For the agenda please see page 5, and for first-timers please read my notes on page 8. If you are interested in joining the committee in any capacity, please contact Judith (details below). If you have any questions for the Questio & Answer Sessio, you are welcome to ask them on the day, but if you could e-mail them to Judith in advance, we should be able to give you a more thorough answer. Finally, remember to bring your PSG Membership Card.

2015 PSG Membership Renewal Due. Please be aware that your membership is due for renewal. A form giving full details is on page 6. Great news, there has been no price increase for another year.

PSG Census. With the demise of so many, previously bread and butter, phasmid species, this census has become very significant. Please take part in this important census. See page 9 for further details.

(PS Please contribute to the next PSG Newsletter, see page 22 for details). Regards to all, Mike Smith

John T. Clark Sellick by Judith Marshall We have heard from his son that John Sellick died on 18th September, aged 82. We first knew him as J. T. Clark, author of the very useful book Stick and Leaf Insects, published in 1974. He was a teacher who became Head of Biology at Uppingham School, and developed a serious interest in the study of stick insects. He continued his studies with a number of useful papers including the description of the male of Carausius morosus, and made a study of phasmid eggs, completing his thesis on this subject and obtaining a PhD. He developed the terminology for phasmid eggs which is now widely used by taxonomists. [All references available at http://phasmida.speciesfile.org]. He was a regular visitor to the NHM so well known to other regulars – Paul, Allan, Phil - before the formation of the PSG, when he became the 48th member and attended many meetings.

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.

December 2014 Website: www.phasmid-study-group.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/PhasmidStudyGroup Newsletter 133.3 LIVESTOCK REPORT by Ian Bushell AVAILABLE LIVESTOCK – December 2014 to January Meeting 2015 The following species are currently available from Mark and Ian (contact details below): Key: N – Nymph A – Adult O – Ova

4 Sipyloidea sipylus O 297 Hypocyrtus scythrus N 9 Extatosoma tiaratum O 299 Neophasma subapterum ON 70 Haaniella scabra AN 301 Brasidas foveolatus N 73 Phenacephorus cornucervi ON 303 Orxines xiphias N 82 Rhaphiderus spiniger N 313 Manduria systropedon NO 90 Rhamphosipyloidea gorkomi N 328 Andropromachus scutatus AN 160 Trachythorax maculicollis N 331 Dares philippinicus N 161 Phenacephorus sepilokensis N 336 Lopaphus sp. CucPicture Phuong Natalie Ford O 163 Sipyloidea larryi OAN 337 Marmessoidea sp. Cuc Phuong O 173 Neohirasea maerens OAN 340 Neohirasea fruhstorferi NO 182 Oxyartes lamellatus O 342 Mnesilochus sp. Real O 188 Oxyartes spinipennis O 343 Myronides sp. Peleng Is Sulawesi N 203 Tirachoidea biceps O 344 Neohirasea nana N 207 Cuniculina sp. Bangladesh 13 O 352 Sipyloidia biplagiata ONA 211 Cuniculina sp. Bangladesh 12 O 353 Xenophasmina simile O 248 Pylaemenes guangxiensis N 355 Mnesilochus sp. Nabutaran OA 255 Trachyaretaon brueckneri O 363 Cigarrophasma tesselatum O 260 Diapherodes gigantea ON 365 Ramulus sp. Da Krong N 264 Pseudophasma velutinum N 366 Dimorphodes sp. Misool ON 265 Abrosoma johorensis AN Candovia robinsoni O 266 Agamemnon cornutus AO Necrosciinae sp. Da Krong O 275 Lobolibethra panguana N Trachyaretaon sp. Negros O 283 Diapherodes venustula O Phaenopharus sp. 'Cat Tien' O 294 Carausius detractus AO Dimorphodes sp. Misool 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 Winter 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: livestock@phasmid- study-group.org.

Members' Surplus Livestock at the PSG Winter 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).

PSG Census: Please read about the PSG Census on page 9. This is very important. Please do take part.

PSG Summer Meeting 5th July 2014, Name the Species! Competition by Judith Marshall

For this meeting I arranged an identification competition, with the invaluable assistance of Allan Harman and Ian Bushell who provided livestock of many species. So we had a long line-up of assorted sized cages and a number of Museum drawers of pinned material, housing 23 different live species and 8 pinned species – mostly in pairs. Each species had a code letter attached, and there were printed lists of these letters so members could fill in the names of species they recognised.

Sadly very few people felt able to do this, maybe too many, too difficult or too confusing? Of those who did attempt the competition Rob Simoens was the clear winner, with Robert Bradburne and Tatiana Kompantseva (visiting London from Russia) both showing a creditable knowledge of our culture species. Some species were chosen to be tricky to name though recognising the genus could be easy. With such genera as Phasma, Extatosoma, Tisamenus, Phenacephorus and Haaniella, two or more species are or have been in culture. Quite a few species have been through name changes too, Pseudodiacantha macklottii was first known as Orxines macklottii, not always easy to remember!

We will try a Nae the speies! competition again, but next time with a simpler format – an array of species, and a list of the names of those species, so just match the code letters to the names. Thanks to Mary Salton for suggesting this, and hopefully more members will be inspired to join in! Ugly Eurycantha? December 2014 Website: www.phasmid-study-group.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/PhasmidStudyGroup Newsletter 133.4 PSG ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING & WINTER MEETING Saturday, 24th January 2015

Will be held in the Flett Theatre and Atrium area*. (FREE PUBLIC ENTRY to Natural History Museum, also the nearby Victoria & Albert and Science Museums)

Comments or ideas on what you would like to see at future PSG Meetings, or if you would be willing to give a talk or other offering at a meeting, or you want to join the committee, tell Judith: E-mail:[email protected] or 020 7942 5610.

PLEASE BRING AND WEAR YOUR PSG MEMBERSHIP CARD AS A BADGE BRING YOUR OWN HOLDER, OR A HOLDER WILL BE PROVIDED.

AGENDA

(Any item may be reviewed on the day. Please help us run on time.)

10.00am – 11.30am ARRIVALS & INFORMAL GATHERING: Members are encouraged to exchange ideas & experiences, and to display any species of special interest, especially those new to culture; “Name the Species” Competition **. Have a drink, biscuit or cake from the refreshment table***.

11.30am – 12.00 Noon ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM) Reports from current committee members, followed by election of committee for 2015; Volunteers to join the committee? – please contact Judith Marshall

12.00 Noon – 12.45pm ILLUSTRATED TALK Arrangements not finalised see PSG Website for update.

12.45pm – 1.45pm LUNCH*** and viewing of displays and merchandise. MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL - HAND OVER YOUR CASH TO PAUL OR HELEN .

1.45pm – 2.00pm ILLUSTRATED TALK Arrangements not finalised see PSG Website for update.

2.45pm – 3.00pm OPEN DISCUSSION/QUESTION TIME and Competition result.

3.00pm - 4.00pm LIVESTOCK EXCHANGE****

4.00pm – 4.30pm CLOSURE OF MEETING.

•This is easily accessed by entering the NHM by the Earth Sciences entrance in Exhibition Road. Once inside go up the steps, turn left and go up the staircase until you reach the glassed-in Atrium area, on the left. (The useus main entrance is in Cromwell Road, SW7 5BD).

** A selection of PSG Culture List species will be on display, some alive - by courtesy of Ian & Mark Bushell and Allan Harman – others are specimens from the NHM collection (with labels temporarily removed). Just tie up the species with one of the names on the sheet provided.

*** Tea, coffee, squash, and biscuits will be available all day (from about 10.15 am), for a voluntary contribution, in the meeting room (courtesy of Judith). Food shops are available in the museum, offering good food at reasonable prices, but there may be queues. You are welcome to bring your own lunch, to eat in the meeting room or in the museum. You may also doate cakes, biscuits, etc, if you wish.

****You are welcome to bring in your spare phasmids (you may also bring in other livestock eg mantids, cockroaches, millipedes, fruit beetles, etc) for free distribution to PSG members. You will also have the opportunity to take home livestock from the exchange table, though where numbers of livestock are limited not all members will be able to get their first choices. You are reminded to follow the rules as laid down concerning the Livestock Exchange: eg livestock should be given some foodstuff, and their container be clearly labelled with their scientific name & PSG number; the food plant they are being fed on, and your name & PSG number. Don't forget to check before you leave that all of your livestock has been distributed and, if not, please take them back home with you. Do not overcrowd the sticks, but also please use reasonably-sized containers (not too big), and do not spread the spare stock of common species over too many different containers. During the livestock exchange please do not crowd around the table, rather sit in the rows of seats and just raise your hand if you are interested in the livestock being offered.

December 2014 Website: www.phasmid-study-group.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/PhasmidStudyGroup Newsletter 133.5 Membership Renewal Due Now for 2015 To renew your membership of the Phasmid Study Group (or to join) Figure 1 Payment can be: in cash to Paul Brock at the AGM and Winter PSG Meeting in January; by PayPal (see below); by cheque (in £ sterling and drawn on a UK bank) payable to: “The Phasmid Study Group ; or by Postal Order or International Postal Giro to: ”

Paul Brock, 2 Greenways Road, Brockenhurst, SO42 7RN, England, UK.

Or see the membership page on the PSG website: www.phasmid-study-group.org/Join-PSG

For overseas members not using PayPal: cash may be sent (at your own risk) in your own currency (add an extra £3.00 for exchange rate variations), we recommend using registered post. Ventral view of Only £12 UK, £14 Europe, or £15 Overseas. (Prices held for anothermesotarsal year!) segments of E. tiaratum (x10). Any problems contact Paul Brock by E-mail: [email protected], or [email protected].

PSG Membership benefits include: PSG Meetings, copies of the PSG Newsletter, all areas of the PSG Website, and free stick insects.

Cut this form out, or photocopy it, or download it from the PSG Website, and give/send it to Paul Brock with your membership subscription (all information held in confidence):

PSG No (if any): ______Name:______

Address:______

______

Post Code:______Country:______

E-mail:______

Subscription: £______

Donation: £______(optional)

Total: £______

PSG MEMBERSHIP FORMS

If you want any copies of the colourful, new Membership Form Figure 6 eg for handing out at shows, demonstrations, museums, zoos, pet shops, etc. please print them from the PSG website, or contact Paul Brock. Many thanks.

HOW TO PAY PSG MEMBERSHIP BY PayPal

•Log into your PayPal account (or set one up at www.paypal.com) •Click the “Send Money” tab •In the “To” field, enter: [email protected]..(NOT [email protected]) •In the “Amount” field enter the correct amount for whether you are in the UK £12, Europe, £14, or Overseas £15 •There is no surcharge for using PayPal (so ignore any old PSG literature that says there is) •Please ensure the currency selected is “GBP – British Pounds” •Then select the option that says “I'm paying for goods or services” and click “Continue” •The next page will show a summary of the details – please scroll down to the bottom of the page where it says “Email to Recipient”... •Change the Subject field to “”PSG Member Fees” •In the “Message” box, please put your full name, address and PSG membership number (if you have one already) •Finally, click “Send Money” to complete the transaction. If you could then drop a quick email to Paul Brock: [email protected] just to let him know you've paid, he can check everything has gone through OK and confirm your membership.

December 2014 Website: www.phasmid-study-group.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/PhasmidStudyGroup Newsletter 133.6 Retur of the Phasid Book Review by Paul Brock

Summary: Wilkinson, R. 2014. Return of the phasmid: Australia’s rarest insect fights back from the brink of extinction. Media Dynamics, Windsor, Queensland. 34.95 Australian Dollars (ISBN 9781876077075). In depth, fascinating coverage of the Lord Howe Island Stick-insect Dryococelus australis full of adventure, drama and intrigue. Well illustrated, 150 pages, paperback. Obtain from https://www.facebook.com/pages/Return-of-the- Phasmid/619151198178258. International orders (incl. post & packing): A$48.95 (approx £27 or 34 Euros).

Full Review: I am delighted that Retur of the Phasid was not written by an entomologist! Rick Wilkinson is a geologist turned journalist with a keen interest in nature and it shows. This is a thoroughly entertaining book about the Lord Howe Island Stick-insect Dryococelus australis and its rediscovery on the tiny volcanic spire of Ball's Pyramid. Many are aware that the species is believed to have become extinct following the introduction of rats from a grounded steam ship in 1918 to Lord Howe Island. This book is full of adventure, drama and intrigue and will surely appeal to a wide audience captivated by worldwide press coverage of an insect back from the brink of extinction – high profile visitors to view captive-reared phasmids include Dame Jane Goodall, who penned the foreword and David Attenborough. There are detailed, illustrated accounts of the expeditions made, pen-pictures of the personalities involved, bad luck stories and even risk of sabotage. On page 79 we learn that Patrick Honan, then at Melbourne Zoo, was keeping close watch at night on the two precious phasmids in his charge and reall suffering from lack of sleep. In the zoo at night with no one around Id hear noises outside the glasshouse and hallucinate that thieves were coming to steal the insects. Whilst extreme, there are some who will stop at nothing to obtain rarities on the black market!

The author is to be congratulated on going the extra mile in researching the history (a useful tielie summary appears on pages 140- 141) and obtaining a wide range of fascinating illustrations (c.200) on the phasmids and anything associated. I have had the pleasure of seeing the rearing operation at Melbourne Zoo on 27 October 2006 and know some of the personalities involved. I thought that I knew most of the story but learned a huge amount of additional information from this work. There is a comprehensive Further readig section usefully divided into categories.

Any phasmid enthusiast will want to purchase the book covering a remarkable story, which is sold at a reasonable price, even allowing for international postage. You will not regret it, in my view one of the best nature books of the last decade. The last chapter is, of course, not known at this stage - will it be successfully reintroduced to Lord Howe Island? Whilst a controversial decision to some naturalists, eradication of rats from the island should help other wildlife. In particular, Retzs Strong Stick-insect Davidrentzia valida Brock, 2007 (described from a single female found in 1988) could also be regarded as endangered.

A Note on Pseudophasma lakini Conle & Hennemann, 2012 by A.J.E. Harman

In 2012 Oskar Conle and Frank Hennemann described the above species from specimens provided by Curtis Lakin who collected them from Archidona near Tena, Napo Province, Ecuador. Eggs were distributed among various PSG members and cultures were reared on Privet. I was given some eggs but they failed to hatch. Earlier this year I attempted to track down any cultures here and in Europe. I came to the conclusion that the cultures had died out. On 4th October 2014 I spoke to Curtis Lakin at the AES Exhibition. He told me that he believed that he had the only culture still alive. Instead of Privet the culture is being reared on Ribwort Plantain (Plantago sp.) and Honeysuckle (Lonicera sp.). Since then I have heard from Rob Krijns of a further culture in Belgium.

Reference: Conle O.V., Hennemann F.H., 2012, Studies of Neotropical Phasmatodea XII. Pseudophasma lakini sp.n. – a new stick insect from eastern Ecuador (Phasmatodea : Pseudophasma lakini Pseudophasmatidae : Pseudophasmatinae) photo by Curtis Lakin Polish Journal of Entomology, Vol.81: 3-10

December 2014 Website: www.phasmid-study-group.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/PhasmidStudyGroup Newsletter 133.7 The PSG Meeting Livestock Exchange by Ingrid Hayette

As you might know, we sent 8,750 ova to Ian & Mark Bushell to distribute at the PSG Summer Meeting on Saturday 5th July 2014. Herewith are a few pictures of our preparations of this shipment. We put labels (with thanks to StickTalk!) on the containers. Also, there are front and side photos of a nice container we use for stick insects.

Ingrid has also supplied a number of photos of her stick insects. To do them justice, they have been put onto The Colour Page (page 2) so they can be seen in colour. Ingrid keeps hundreds of stick insects and plans to send us photos of her set up for a future article.

By Mike Smith

Answers on Page 19.

PSG AGM & Winter Meeting, Saturday 24th January 2015 - in the Flett Theatre by Mike Smith

Yes, another fantastic meeting awaits all PSG members. Just take a look at the agenda on page 5 and see for yourself. Please note that this particular meeting will again be held in the Flett Theatre and Atrium area. This is easily accessed by entering the NHM by the Earth Sciences entrance in Exhibition Road. Once inside go up the steps, turn left and go up the staircase until you reach the glassed-in Atrium area, on the left. (The useus main entrance is in Cromwell Road, SW7 5BD).

Entry to the meeting (and to the local Natural History, Science, and Victoria & Albert Museums) is completely free. When attending the meeting, please bring your PSG 2014 Membership Card with you (members who have lost or forgotten their membership cards will still be able to access the meeting, but checks will be made to ensure they are members, and a temporary eers name badge will be issued). Non-members who accompany members will be given a white name badge to wear. Only members can vote and/or collect free livestock.

The queues for the museum can be quite long, but still usually take only 15-20 minutes maximum. Please note bags are searched on entry for dagerous objects so knives, scissors, etc should not be brought in. The nearest tube train station is South Kensington which is on the Circle, District, and Piccadilly Lines. Bus routes include: 14, 49, 70, 74, 345, 360, 414, and C1. But before you travel best check with London Transport for any planned closures (eg for engineering work). Phone 0207 222 1234 (+44 207 222 1234 from overseas), or go to the website www.tfl.gov.uk.

December 2014 Website: www.phasmid-study-group.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/PhasmidStudyGroup Newsletter 133.8 London Zoo Visit 8.6.14 by Mike Smith I went to ZSL London Zoo (ZSL = The Zoological Society of London), with my wife Lynne on Sunday, 8th June 2014. We had been there many times before - but not for about 25 years! After paying for the car park, entry tickets, and guide book, it was a fairly expensive day out (it came to over £63, and that is with concessionary tickets, the waiving of the 10% charitable contribution, avoiding the London congestion charge, and excluding petrol costs). But it is a brilliant place to visit and we quite enjoyed it there. The place is very big, so to do the whole thing in a day you need to make good use of the zoo map. There seemed to be only about half the number of animals there than we saw last time. And now most of the cages are eviroetall friedl, with trees and bushes everywhere, which means that it was impossible to see many of the animals. This was a bit disappointing, but of the animals we did see we were very pleased. I took a camera – thankfully with a telephoto lens – and was able to take lots of photos. Of course, there were the zebras, tigers, lions, giraffes, birds, fish, etc. But it was the reptiles and creepy crawlies that I most wanted to see. They had a butterfly house, with lots of butterflies and moths around, also a Bugs House with stick insects, cockroaches, millipedes, tarantulas, ants, and scorpions in, and of course a Reptile House with snakes and lizards in. I was however let down with the Bugs House, as it had very few of each species, and the few stick insects they had were not shown to best effect.

NZ Book by Paul Brock There is a useful, illustrated chapter on phasmids in pp. 105-122 of 'NZ Wildlife. Introducing the weird and wonderful character of natural New Zealand' by ex-PSG member Steve Trewick and Mary Morgan-Richards (Penguin Books, 2014). This is a good, well illustrated book to learn more about some of New Zealand's specialist wildlife but a few remarks are open to interpretation. For example we read 'A stick insect cannot switch its colour rapidly in response to its environment but may change colour gradually as it grows'. This is generally the situation, but in certain cases even New Zealand species do change colour quickly in reaction to light or conditions [at least in Britain]. The largest Australian phasmid is said to be Acrophylla titan, but this has not been the case since Ctenomorpha gargantua was described in 2006.

PSG Census by Ian Bushell A census form is now on our website, please go to it, fill it in, and send it to us at: livestock@phasmid- study-group.org. The aim is to establish what species we have in culture throughout PSG. This will enable Mark and I to co-ordinate moving members' surplus stock and to fullfill other members' wishes. In the light of Joachim's losses [re fire] I am particularly keen to establish cultures of Vietnamese species. December 2014 Website: www.phasmid-study-group.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/PhasmidStudyGroup Newsletter 133.9 Food Plant Consumption Study by Mark Jackson

In February this year I decided to conduct an informal study of food plant consumption rates for four of my phasmid cages; three being community enclosures each containing different food plants and one being a 'Eurycantha tank'. The reason necessitating this study was an impending business trip which would involve me being away from home for two long stints, both of around three weeks with a two week break to return home in-between. I wanted to minimise the imposition of phasmid care on my wife and other house- sitters during this time. As such I thought a 'test run' would be a good idea so, approximately one month before the first scheduled leg of my trip, I prepared the four enclosures with a substantial quantity of food stuffs and recorded the results as the foliage was eaten and the water levels dropped. The enclosures were prepared as follows:

Enclosure 1: Eucalyptus Cage (W:100cm x H:90cm x D:50cm): On 22/02/14 two large (720ml) jars were stuffed with branches of mixed Eucalyptus (E. nova-anglica, E. pauciflora, E. neglecta, E. dalrympleana, E. camaldulensis) and placed on upturned terracotta pots for height (see picture).

Enclosure Population:

Adults: 6 x Diapherodes gigantea (5 female, 1 male) 5 x Extatosoma tiaratum (3 female, 2 male) 3 x Onchestus rentzi (1 female, 2 male)

Nymphs: 8 x Extatosoma tiaratum (L2 to L4) 9 x Onchestus rentzi (L2 to L5) 5 x Phaenopharos struthionius (L2 and L3)

Enclosure 2: Bramble cage (W:60cm x H:90cm x D:30cm): On 23/02/14 another large (720ml) jar was stuffed with stems of mature-leafed bramble and also placed on an upturned terracotta pot for height (see picture).

Enclosure Population:

Adults: 1 x Heteropteryx dilatata (female) 3 x Phaenopharos khaoyaiensis (female) 9 x Bacteria horni (5 female, 4 male) 3 x Myronides sp. Peleng (2 female, 1 male)

Nymphs: 8 x Sipyloidea biplagiata (L3 to L5) 5 x Myronides sp. Peleng (L3 to L5)

Enclosure 3: Privet tank (W:30cm x H:50cm x D:30cm): On 23/02/14 the third and smallest community enclosure was prepared with a smaller (320ml) jar stuffed with stems of privet. Unfortunately, due to the time of year, the stems weren't in great condition with mainly last year's winter-damaged leaves but with a few new buds forming.

Enclosure Population: Christmas bush. Adults: (Wikipedia) 6 x Peruphasma schultei (3 female, 3 male) 8 x Lonchodes philippinicus (4 female, 4 male)

Nymphs: 2 x Necroscia annulipes (L2) 3 x Peruphasma schultei (L3)

Enclosure 4: Eurycantha tank (W:80cm x H:45cm x D:25cm): On 23/02/14 my Eurycantha enclosure was prepared with 2 small (200ml) jars stuffed with lengths of bramble and ivy foliage which I pushed into the 8cm deep sandy substrate that lines the floor of this glass enclosure.

Enclosure Population:

Adults: 9 x Eurycantha calcarata (6 female, 3 male)

December 2014 Website: www.phasmid-study-group.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/PhasmidStudyGroup Newsletter 133.10 Study Progress: The foliage in all enclosures was lightly sprayed with water twice a week and the jars were checked every few days to ensure the water levels were sufficient. Other than spraying, the first real 'maintenance' required was to top up the water of both jars in Enclosure 1 (Eucalyptus) on 04/03/14, 10 days after the enclosure was first prepared. The Eucalyptus foliage at this stage was still looking fresh and there was still a good quantity for the phasmids to eat. However, foliage in the privet tank (Enclosure 3) on 05/03/14 - just 10 days after it had been prepared - was looking scarce. Most of the old leaves had simply fallen and those that hadn't, along with the new bud growth, had been almost entirely eaten. The water level in the privet jar had only dropped by about 2cm which I assume indicated that the stems were not taking up much fluid nutrition to the leaves and bud growth. A new jar was prepared with fresh water and privet - mainly newly emerging leaves this time - and the old jar removed. I dare say the findings would be quite different for the privet tank if this study had been carried out in the spring or summer.

Unfortunately, but rather unsurprisingly, the leafy foliage in my Eurycantha tank had been reduced to bare lengths of gnawed bramble stems within just 10 days of it's initial preparation! There were a few half eaten ivy leaves left however but on 06/03/14 I removed the old jars and replaced them with fresh ones, fully stocked once again with bramble and ivy, but this time with an emphasis on ivy as this food plant appears to last longer than bramble.

The jar in Enclosure 3, the bramble cage, needed topping up with fresh water on 06/03/14 (11 days after setup) and the foliage at this stage was looking a bit deflated and rather well-eaten. Subsequently, four days later, what was left of the foliage was in need of replacing as it had dried up quite significantly and most had been consumed by the hungry occupants. A new - fully stuffed - jar of bramble was introduced on 10/03/14, 15 days after the enclosure had been initially prepared.

By 14/03/14, 20 days after Enclosure 1 had been setup, both jars of Eucalyptus were again almost empty of water, precisely ten days after the first top up was required. This time however, the foliage was looking decidedly worse for wear! The Diapherodes gigantea and Extatosoma tiaratum adults especially had managed to eat their way through most of the available food plants. Interestingly, the first Eucalyptus species to be consumed almost entirely in the first two weeks were E. nova-anglica and E. camaldulensis. These both have long, fine leaves so are popular with small nymphs as well as a preference for the adults, it would seem. The E. dalrympleana was also popular but both the E. neglecta and E. pauciflora appear to be less tempting, especially for the smaller nymphs, due probably to the thickness of the leaves. That said, they are definitely useful species to have available as the foliage seems to last longer without appearing to dry out and E. neglecta especially seems to stay fresh and succulent in appearance even when the stems are without water for several days. Ultimately, I had to restock Enclosure 1 on 18/03/014, some 24 days after initial setup, as most of the foliage had been consumed and what remained was desiccated and rather unappetising to the numerous hungry residents!

Findings and Conclusions: As a result of the study I decided that I would need to make specific choices in the food plants provided to the phasmids in order to maximise on the number of days it would take for the cages to be fully defoliated. In the case of the Eurycantha tank, I chose to provide more ivy than bramble as the thick evergreen leaves remained lush and lasted longer, even once the water ran out. Photinia may prove to be a useful food plant too for the same reasons as the leaves share similar qualities to those of ivy and it appears to be accepted by quite a range of phasmids, especially those of Eurycanthinae and Heteropteryginae sub-families.

The study also provided me with useful information regarding the consumption rates and longevity of the various Eucalyptus species offered. Although the thinner leaved varieties such as E. camaldulensis appear to be preferred as a food plant, the thicker leaved types such as E. neglecta lasted longer and, like ivy, without water these more robust and hardy species still stayed fresh and edible for several days.

The issue of most concern was the rate at which the water level dropped in the jars. Typically it takes around 10 or 11 days for a large (720ml) jar full of bramble and/or eucalyptus to be drained of water, given the conditions of heat, humidity and light-levels provided during this study. As such I came up with a simple but rather effective technique to enable the easy and convenient 'topping-up' of the phasmid food jars:

I carefully drilled a number of holes in the jar lids using two or three different drill-bit sizes to accommodate stems of varying widths. I also ensured a few larger holes were drilled around the outer edges of the lid. I then filled the jar with water and populated it with the necessary foliage leaving one of the larger holes free. I then made a simple 'elongated funnel' by taping a large plastic drinking straw to the narrow end of a small funnel (see pictures).

Using this device I am now able to top up all my phasmid food jars with water by pushing the straw into the available hole in each lid and simply refilling the jars using a small house-plant watering can. It makes the process very quick and easy and it's proven a great success with the 'volunteers' who are begrudgingly charged with looking after my ever-expanding collection of sticks when I'm away from home!

December 2014 Website: www.phasmid-study-group.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/PhasmidStudyGroup Newsletter 133.11 Identification of PSG 332 (Dares sp. Crocker Rage) by Thies Büscher Introduction Phil E. Bragg and Paul Jennings found a Dares species in 2006 in Borneo, Sabah, near Keningau. This species was brought to Europe and has been reared in captivity since then. It has been kept under the stock-name Dares sp. Croker RageFig. 1). Named after the Crocker Range mountain range which separates the east and west coast of Sabah, which is the highest mountain range in Sabah (height 1800m). For eight years, the beautiful dwarf-phasmid species still lacked a species name, although it had been described… The species is now identified as Dares murudensis Bragg, 1998.

Order: Phasmida Family: Heteropterygidae Kirby, 1896 Genus: Dares Stål, 1875 Species: D. murudensis Bragg, 1998 Fig. 1: Pair of Dares sp. Croker Rage, Dräger 1. Dares sp. Croker Rage: Borneo, Sabah, Crocker Range, near Keningau, leg. (Collected at N05 23' 59" E116 06' 09" - altitude 970m). Phil E. Bragg & Paul Jennings, 25.XII.2006.

The material the author examined was provided by Daniel Dittmar (Berlin, Germany) from his culture, and is deposited in the private collection of Thies Büscher (Kiel, Germany).

In A revision of the Heteropteryginae (Insecta: Phasmida: Bacillidae) of Borneo, with the description of a new genus and ten new speies (Bragg, 1998, p. 53f), the species D. murudensis has been described by Phil Bragg on a single female specimen, which has been deposited in the Naturalis in Leiden, Netherlands (former RMNH = Rijksmuseum van Natuurlijke Historie). The specimen was collected by Dr. Eric Georg Mjöberg on Mount Murud, in an approximate altitude of 2150- 2200m. Mt. Murud is located near to the Crocker Range, where the PSG 332 stock was collected in the north of Sabah.

Discussion The head and body of the species are dorsally and ventrally brown Fig. 2: Holotype of D. murudensis; Photo by Paul Brock, coloured, sometimes in a very dark tone and both are scabrous and copyright RMNH, Leiden2. setose, same as it is described for the type specimen of D. murudensis. The head has a square swollen region at its back. It is covered by medium distinct anterior, central and posterior occipital tubercles. Medium lateral coronal tubercles are located on the head. The features of the head occur as described for D. murudensis. Other Dares species look slightly different. Dares kinabulensis Bragg, 1998 for example also has medium anterior and posterior occipital tubercles, but a groove instead of central occipital tubercles and larger lateral coronal tubercles, while others vary in other combinations.

Fig. 3: Head (female)3.

The only aspect which is not perfectly in accordance with the type description is the number of antennal segments. All examined females had antennae with 23 segments, including the basal segment (scapus) and pedicellus, the holotype with 22. This is the speies prominent token sensu Bragg, 1998. The key names 20 segments (22 including scapus and pedicellus, which were not counted by Phil Bragg) as the main feature to distinguish D. murudensis from D. validispinus Stål, 1875. On the one hand, the number of antennal segments is often variable within one species. On the other hand, the number of segments varies because of outside Fig. 4: Antennae of a female3. ……December.……. 2014 Website: www.phasmid-study-group.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/PhasmidStudyGroup Newsletter 133.12 influences. A stick insect which lost an antenna and regenerated it during its hemimetabolous metamorphosis might also have an alternative segment count. As Detlef Größer reports the segment count of Phyllium (Pulchriphyllium) bioculatum Gray, 1832 males varies between 20 and 22. The whole stock PSG 332 originates from very few specimens. The culture stock specimen and the female holotype from Leiden are distinguished only by this detail but Bragg (pers comm., 2014) agrees they appear to belong to Dares murudensis confirming that he did not include the two basal segments in his count of the antennal segments. He was unaware a culture was still available.

Although the quantity of segments does not match, the characteristics of the segments do agree. As it can be seen in fig. 5, scapus and pedicellus each have one tooth on the outer margin. As seen in fig. 4, the apical segment is three times longer than the penultimate. The last aspect does not occur in any of the other possible Dares species. The apical antennal segment is 3x longer (or more) in both D. verrucosus and D. validispinus - the two species which are probably closest to murudensis.

The trapezial pronotum contains a transverse groove (more prominent as at Dares multispinosus Bragg 1998 e.g.), medium anterior and posterior pronotal tubercles and small pre-median and post-median tubercles. Those are in the same shape as D. murudensis. Compared with Dares ulula (Westwood, 1859) Fig. 5: Scapus and pedicellus3. the tubercles are less prominent, but more prominent than Dares joergi’s Bragg, 1998. All further tubercules and carinae of mesonotum and abdomen fit in the correct combination to D. murudensis. This combination is unique among Dares species. Other Dares species show slightly variating combinations.

Mesonotum: two large anterior marginal tubercles, two medium posterior mesonotal mounds, indistinct apical tubercle. Scabrous mesopleura with tubercles. Mesosternum: two rounded tubercles. Metanotum: indistinct longitudinal carina, posterior metanotal mound small, apically with indistinct tubercle. The scabrous metapleura contains large supra- coxal tubercles. Metasternum: two indistinct rounded tubercles.

The rugose abdominal segments are covered by a longitudinal median carina, which is indistinct on the first two segments and distinct on the segments three to six. The lateral margins of segments four and five are laterally expanded by indistinct tubercles, the margins of the 2nd and 3rd segment are without tubercles. The first posterior tubercles of segments three to six are very small and Fig. 6: Female dorsal (l), lateral (r)4. paired. The median carina is forked posteriorly at segment eight, as well at segment nine, which is high and narrow. Segment ten contains a pai r of tubercles near to the anterior margin and short lateral carinae near the posterior. Its apex is straight and without notches.

The legs femoral carinae are all tuberculate, indeed the ventro-anterior carina of the profemora just sparingly. Meso- and etafeoras ventral carinae carry apically a pair of small spines (fig. 7) or pointed tubercles. All tibiae are free of tubercles and the first four tarsomeres are of equal length.

Although the Crocker Range stock is the smallest Dares species in culture, the described female of D. murudensis doest even reach this size. The single examined specimen is larger than the holotype (this culture is from a lower altitude than the holotype of murudensis so a larger size is not unexpected).

Fig. 7: A feales metafemur3. The eggs obtained from females are granulose and setose with long, straight setae, looking equal to the egg which has been obtained from the holotypes genitalia.

Conclusion As shown the culture stock Dares sp. Croker Rage (PSG 332) is certainly identified as Dares murudensis Bragg, 1998. This, in fact, allows to describe the speies male and makes 3 Fig. 8: Ova dorsal. it necessary to improve the key to the Dares species.

December 2014 Website: www.phasmid-study-group.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/PhasmidStudyGroup Newsletter 133.13 To avoid mixing up stocks of species being imported more than one time and to show the stock formerly was named Croker Rage the author appreciates calling the stock PSG 332 from now on Dares murudensis Croker Rage, Bragg, 1998. This is essential to keep bloodlines of cultured stocks clean. Very important is the prevention of unintentional hybrids during captive breeding with individuals of the subfamily Heteropteryginae which were incorrectly determined as D. murudensis.

Measurements of the examined females [mm]

Dares ♀♀ sp. Crocker Rage murudensis

Total 30.0 26.0 Measurements of D. Antennae 10.6 9.2 murudensis were taken from Bragg (1998) p. 94. Head 3.1 3.0 Pronotum 2.4 2.2 Mesonotum 4.2 4.0 Metanotum 2.9 2.8 Median Segment 1.4 1.4 Profemora 6.7 5.1 Protibiae 6.2 4.5 Protarsi 2.7 2.5 Mesofemora 5.8 4.9 Mesotibiae 5.0 4.5 Mesotarsi 2.8 2.5 Metafemora 7.0 6.3 Metatibiae 7.1 6.4 Metatarsi 3.0 2.8

References Conle, O. & Hennemann, F., The World of Stick Insects. Last access: 28.08.2014: http://www.phasmatodea.com/web/guest/psg. Bragg, P. E. (1998). A revision of the Heteropteryginae (Insecta: Phasmida: Bacillidae) of Borneo, with the description of a new genus and ten new species. Zoologische Verhandelingen. Leiden, 316, p. 47-131. Bragg, P. E. (2001) Phasmids of Borneo. Sabah: Natural History Publications (Borneo), p. 124-188. Größer, D. (2008). Wandelnde Blätter. Frankfurt a. M.: Edition Chimaira, 2. Aufl. p. 24f. Dräger, H. (2012), Die Gespenstschrecken der Familie Heteropterygidae Kirby, 1896 (Phasmatodea) – ein Überblick über bisher gehaltene Arten. Teil 2: Die Unterfamilie Dataminae Rehn & Rehn 1839. ZAG-Phoenix: 3 (1)(Vol. 5): p. 36. Brock, P., Phasmida Species File. Last access: 28.08.2014: http://phasmida.speciesfile.org/Common/basic/Taxa.aspx?TaxonNameID=1200382.

Photographs 1Dräger, H. (2012), Die Gespenstschrecken der Familie Heteropterygidae Kirby, 1896 (Phasmatodea) – ein Überblick über bisher gehaltene Arten. Teil 2: Die Unterfamilie Dataminae Rehn & Rehn 1839. ZAG-Phoenix: 3 (1)(Vol. 5): p. 36. 2Brock, P., Phasmida Species File. Last access: 28.08.2014: http://phasmida.speciesfile.org/Common/basic/Taxa.aspx?TaxonNameID=1200382. 3Büscher, T. (2014) with the S8APO stereomicroscope from Leica and the camera MC 180 HD from Leica. 4Dräger, H. (2012).

December 2014 Website: www.phasmid-study-group.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/PhasmidStudyGroup Newsletter 133.14 Alien Phasmids Spreading on the Isles of Scilly by Paul Brock

Introduction Britais stick insect fauna is little known although Tresco is considered the UKs hotspot for them. However, is this changing? A visit to the Isles of Scilly from 20-27 September 2013 enabled me to study the species in their habitat for the first time since brief day trips to Tresco in 1987 and 1992 and make an assessment of how they are progressing, particularly with fears that cold winters may have harmed Scilly populations. This account gives a general account of these insects, an overview of species on the islands, also photographs of species as found in the wild and notes on variation. Tresco Island The fauna is much better known than in the days when I added the Unarmed Stick-insect Acanthoxyla inermis to the British list in 1987 (ex. Falmouth), an insect previously regarded as the Smooth Stick-insect Clitarchus hookeri, which is still only restricted to the Isles of Scilly. There are, however, few phasmid specimens in the Natural History Museum, London, from the islands or other collections and even fewer articles on them. Records are few and far between, particularly on the Islands. Malcolm Lee (Port Gaverne) has done an excellent job acting as Recorder, so we have a good idea of the distribution in south-west England and the origin of different populations.

It is remarkable that seven species of introduced stick insects feature in the Bryher Island UKs fauna, i.e. are regarded as established, because they cannot tolerate low temperatures. Six species have populations in the west country and one in Berkshire. Put in perspective, the world fauna of 3,071 species [Phasmida Species File - http://phasmida.speciesfile.org] is mainly tropical or subtropical.

Biology The average number of eggs for most phasmids is c.400, which applies to the UK alien species. These are dropped to the ground, but although the capitulum (knob) on top of the egg of some phasmid species is attractive to ants and phasmid eggs are sometimes found in ants nests, this has not yet been reported in Britain. The typical life cycle takes a year or so; if not predated on, adults live several months and may live well beyond December in mild weather. All four phasmid species featured here reproduce parthenogenetically. Males have never been reported in any of the eight Acanthoxyla species found in New Zealand, but are known in some populations St Mary’s Island of Clitarchus hookeri. Defensive Behaviour In defence, all four species recorded on the islands Acanthoxyla geisovii have a primary defence of shaping the body to resemble a stick and blend into the (Brown) background (procrypsis). A colour pattern with a different shade on the underside St Mary’s helps, also the ability to choose different colours to better match different surroundings, including mottled patterns. In extreme cases subtle changes in colour can take place in a few hours, but usually adults cannot change colour significantly i.e. a green adult stays green, but nymphs can change colour whilst moulting. Phasmids may mimic the weather conditions by swaying from side to side in a breeze.

Camouflage alone does not stop them being eaten by birds and other predators though, and all phasmids have secondary defences. If you pick up a phasmid it may become alarmed and feign death. Carausius morosus is the master of this strategy (known as catalepsy), it falls to the undergrowth, tucks the legs in and remains motionless for some time until the perceived danger has passed; it may attach itself to a twig on the way down, even using only one leg. Another strategy is to stand its ground and display, again all four species coincidentally have bright red between the forelegs, a classic warning colour although red does not feature in a large percentage of phasmids. The warning colour is false (pseudoaposematic), as the insects are not poisonous, but in some cases may startle a potential predator and should it strike out, the phasmid is willing to shed Acanthoxyla geisovii a leg (autotomy). This twitches in order to confuse, allowing the insect to vaish (Green) in the undergrowth, where it has survived, leaving the bewildered predator Tresco without a meal. Nymphs are able to at least partly re-grow the leg when moulting. … December 2014 Website: www.phasmid-study-group.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/PhasmidStudyGroup Newsletter 133.15 One could argue that the Prickly Stick-insect Acanthoxyla geisovii offers some threat, having spines but although they may look fierce, unlike in some species, Acanthoxyla geisovii they are not used in defence. When alarmed, secretions from the mouthparts Bryher, Greenish brown, few spines are commonplace in phasmids including British species; these are understudied.

Finding Phasmids Techniques are straightforward; start by methodical searches on or near foodplants in the daytime choosing larger plants in sheltered positions such as hedgerows, but expect them to be well camouflaged (see photographs), possibly around the top of vegetation. Sometimes it is better to start hunting for these insects in the afternoon, when they may move up the vegetation. For example, in mainland Cornwall, populations on Cupressus hedges or standalone plants often sit on outer leaves in the afternoon ready to start eating at dusk. On bramble, they also tend to be more visible later in the day. Shine a torch at night on the foodplants, particularly at dusk and early evening and phasmids become easy to spot, Acanthoxyla geisovii walking about or feeding on leaves. Patience is needed as they are rather local Opercular spine and may just be on one small patch of bramble in a large area.

The Species The notes include a summary of my 2013 finds. I also discussed the species with naturalists, residents and several visitors on the larger islands.

Prickly Stick-insect Acanthoxyla geisovii Body length: 80-110 mm. DESCRIPTION. Green, brown or mottled lihe-like i.e. green or brown and white, often with many black spines on the thorax, but some specimens have few spines. The operculum has a sharply pointed basal spine. SIMILAR SPECIES. There is a possibility of confusion with Acanthoxyla prasina and Acanthoxyla inermis but both species lack an opercular spine, instead they have Clitarchus hookeri a broad tubercle. HABITAT. Gardens, hedgerows or wastelands where they feed End of abdomen on bramble, rose and Cupressus. In order to adapt to their surroundings, adults have been shown to change colour from dark to lighter brown, in just a few hours. DISTRIBUTION. Very local, found in Cornwall and Devon. A New Zealand native species, introduced into Britain (Paignton, Devon) in 1908 probably via plants from New Zealand. First recorded in Tresco Abbey Gardens in 1943 and now established on Bryher and St Mars. SEASON. June to December, sometimes later in mild weather.

I found several adults (mostly green, one brown and one brownish green) and mainly large nymphs on bramble between 20-26 September 2013 in Bryher ……. (near Veronica Farm, the houses and shops); St Mary's, Old Town particularly

Clitarchus hookeri .the churchyard and Old Town Road hedgerows (at night by torchlight) and Tresco Tresco, Old Grimsby, also Abbey Gardens Top Terrae, one large nymph found by Dr. Martin Krehenbrink, a German visitor (confirmed from photo). A gardener later informed me that the Cupressus by the arch had fallen over in a storm in the 1980s [used to always be reliable for geisovii] and there were only few Cupressus plants at the top end of the gardens. It appears, as a result, that geisovii may be very local here now. It is noteworthy that the thorax of specimens from the islands is less spiny than on the mainland. The 2012 Isles of Scilly Bird and Natural History Review indicates that they occur around Old Town and the Dump on St Mars with another report from St Agnes.

Smooth Stick-insect Clitarchus hookeri Body length: 64-93 mm. DESCRIPTION. Green, or occasionally brown. Smooth with an interrupted black line on the thorax starting from the back of the head, readily Clitarchus hookeri distinguishing it from Acanthoxyla inermis. HABITAT Gardens or wastelands (Resting) where they feed on bramble, raspberry, rose and eucalypts as well as New Zealand plants Metrosideros robusta and others. In captivity they sometimes progress well on Leptospermum. In the wild they often rest on vegetation near the foodplants, when prolific resting on top of each other. DISTRIBUTION. Rare, only on the Isles of Scilly (Tresco and the northern part of St Mars. A New Zealand native species (where some populations are bisexual), introduced into Britain (Tresco Abbey Gardens) in 1949 via plants from New Zealand; only once recorded outside the Gardens on Tresco, yet I observed them on the boundary and being common within the Gardens, there is no reason why they not be more widespread on the island. SEASON June probably to December but most recorded in September.

December 2014 Website: www.phasmid-study-group.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/PhasmidStudyGroup Newsletter 133.16 I found numerous adults (all green, except one brown when moulting the same Carausius morosus day as found) and small to large nymphs in the daytime on bramble except St Mary’s where stated between 21-26 September 2013 in Bryher (near shops, campsite and boatyard); St Mary's, Higher Trenoeth (several nymphs on eucalypt saplings as well as bramble, originally via plants from Tresco Abbey Gardens), Tresco, Abbey Gardens in four locations, including the Top Terrae. These adults and large nymphs may have been browsing on various nearby plants including bramble, with evidence of feeding on Pittosporum. However, they have a tendency to walk away from the foodplants at night and they use low New Zealand plants in two areas as a resting area, even lying on top of each other, where prolific.

Laboratory Stick-insect Carausius morosus Body length: 70-84 mm. DESCRIPTION. Dull green or brown, with small tubercles (knobs) on the thorax. The inside base of the leg is red. Males are known but extremely rare in Carausius morosus culture stocks, possibly genetic females, incapable of reproduction. This species End of abdomen is also well known as the Indian Stick Insect, but was first used in a laboratory culture and is widely kept in schools. HABITAT Gardens, hedgerows or wastelands where they feed on privet and ivy, but may tolerate bramble. DISTRIBUTION. Discarded culture stocks have been recorded in various parts of Britain. Whilst possibly found for several years before dying out (except in greenhouses), there is little evidence until recently that the species can become well established in Britain. However, the populations in the Isles of Scilly at St Agnes (since 2006) and St Mars (c. late 1990s) look set to continue for years. A native of southern India, they have been introduced to Australia, Madagascar, South Africa and the U.S.A.; sometimes escapees are reported in other European countries. SEASON All year under cover, otherwise only likely as adults in warmer weather. Bacilus rossius, Tresco I found a dark brown adult at night on 25 May 2013 feeding on ivy in St Mars, near Peninnis Farm, Old Town Road. Near this area, two nymphs were found a day later. The 2012 IoS Review and discussions with naturalists indicate that they are dotted around St Mars, including Carreg Dhu Gardens, although are rarely seen.

Mediterranean Stick-insect Bacillus rossius Body length: 64-105 mm. DESCRIPTION. Brown or green, rather plain except for red inner base of fore legs and cream or red side stripe. HABITAT Gardens, hedgerows or wastelands where they feed on bramble and other plants. DISTRIBUTION Rare, likely to be imported with plants, discarded culture stocks as in Hillingdon, London e.g. in 1995 resulting from a deliberate introduction in 1986. Recorded in Cornwall Bacillus rossius (including Tresco, Isles of Scilly), Devon and Hayling Island, Hampshire. Whilst Tresco possibly found for several years before dying out, there is little evidence of the species becoming widely established, except on Tresco where it has been found since 2002. A common European species found mainly in the Mediterranean, but also as far north as northern France. SEASON July to December.

I found two adults (dark brown and reddish brown) in Tresco, Old Grimsby, Tos Hill and opposite a house in New Grimsby on 22 September 2013, also a recently emerged nymph on a low bank at Tos Hill. All were feeding on bramble although one adult was well camouflaged on nearby grasses. Possibly also on St Mars via a discarded culture (2012 IoS Report).

The other British species [where they are considered established i.e. excluding deliberate releases or escapees of tropical species, which cannot survive our climate], not yet been recorded on the Isles of Scilly are:

Unarmed Stick-insect Acanthoxyla inermis (body length: 94-125 mm), a non-spiny Acanthoxyla which has a large basal opercular tubercle. This species is widespread but local in Cornwall, also recorded in Devon, Dorset, Hampshire, Somerset, West Sussex and south-west Ireland. A New Zealand native species, introduced into Britain (Truro, Cornwall) prior to 1979 probably via plants sold by a garden centre and now our commonest British phasmid, helped by distribution and release mainly via garden centres, schools and individuals. There is evidence that an earlier introduction was made in the 1920s.

Black-spined Stick-insect Acanthoxyla prasina (body length: 78-108 mm). Green or brown, usually fewer spines present on the thorax compared with the similar Acanthoxyla geisovii but check the operculum, which has a large basal tubercle, not spine. Very rare in Cornwall, mainly introductions from culture stock to gardens in Angarrack, Redruth and St Mawes since about 1991 and a population at Mount Edgecumbe since 2003 (most likely via importation of plants)/possibly others. This species is a native of New Zealand.

Whites Sicilian Stick-insect Bacillus whitei (body length: 76-90 mm). Green or brown, resembles B. rossius except that the ………………………. December 2014 Website: www.phasmid-study-group.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/PhasmidStudyGroup Newsletter 133.17 operculum (subgenital plate on underside of abdomen) reaches end of 9th segment; in rossius it reaches about ½ length of segment 9. Rare, only in Acanthoxyla inermis Slough, Berkshire, as a result of an escapee from culture. This species is a native Close up of Sicily.

Note – phasmids kept in culture should not be released in the wild; there is a possibility that other phasmid species reared by pet-keepers could survive in the mild climate of the Islands. When I published my paper on British phasmids in 1987 only two species were known from Tresco, now there are four species on at least four islands, mostly it appears, by human intervention. These insects often spread via garden centres or nurseries and discarded culture stocks or escapees.

Further Research Having observed these insects once again after a long absence, it is obvious that there is still a lot to learn about them, as I readily Acanthoxyla inermis noted different habits. I obtained a few specimens for a molecular study being End of abdomen conducted in New Zealand and the results should help analyse exactly where the insects originated from in the various populations across south-west England vs. New Zealand populations. Further information will be provided when available, along with details of finds in Cornwall.

In the meantime, it is pleasing to see these insects commoner than on previous brief visits. The magnificent Tresco Abbey Gardens is still, for me, Britais hotspot for phasmids, although parts of Bryher and St Mars are close.

……Acknowledgements. Particular thanks to Malcolm Lee (Port Gaverne) for details of past records and his enthusiasm (including copies of invaluable sketch maps made by Brian Laney). Also to Martin Goodey, Ren Hathway and Mick Scott (all St. Mars.

Reference Brock, P.D. 2014. A comprehensive guide to Insects of Britain & Ireland. Pisces Publications, Newbury. Phasmida Species File - http://phasmida.speciesfile.org provides a list of references on the species covered in this article.

[These pictures need to be seen in colour. Some of the photos are in colour on page 2. See the whole Newsletter in colour on the PSG Website.]

The “Jungle Nymph” by Mike Smith Introduction There was once concern for the conservation of Heteropteryx dilatata (Parkinson, 1798) PSG No 18 as great numbers were being exported for the pet trade, but this subsequently diminished as good numbers were bred in Europe. In Malaysia, dead specimens have been framed for the tourist industry for many years –at Kuala Lumpur airport I saw an enormous female framed and correctly labelled, definitely very impressive. Chinese families in Malaysia use Jungle Nymph droppings in a tea as a medicine to cure minor diarrhoea (it is thought the medicinal properties come from the guava leaves fed to the Jungle Nymphs). Rumour has it that some natives did (or still do) eat the Jungle Photo Mike Smith, Egg Ron Baxter Nphs abdomens as a nutritious delicacy. .Jungle Nymphs are the heaviest of stick insects – a female adult, especially laden with eggs, could weigh more than 65 grams – though the heaviest reliably weighed female was 51.2 grams. At our Jungle Nymph weigh-in, at the PSG Summer Meeting 2006, the heaviest weighed 42.9 grams. The Jungle Nymph is also thought to hold the world record for the largest egg laid by an insect, supposedly 1.3 cm (0.5 in) in length! It is also thought by some that the Jungle Nymph could be the heaviest of any insect, although the Guinness World Record currently gives this to the Goliath Beetle of Africa at 70-100 gras.

Classification This is a magnificent species that is hard to ignore. It is in the Heteropteryginae family, the same family as the equally magnificent, but perhaps less colourful, Haaniella species. Its common name has always been Jugle Nph to me, but I believe it is also irreverently known as the Thor Devil by some.

Distribution Widely distributed throughout parts of West Malaysia, especially the Cameron Highlands, also Borneo, Java, Sumatra, Sarawak, and Thailand. Thought extinct now in Singapore. It likes to live among tree and shrub vegetation, and is most active at night.

Eggs Reproduction is sexual (ie requiring a male and female as opposed to parthenogenetic). The eggs (or ova) are buried by the female, using her long ovipositor, to a depth of around 25mm. Therefore its cage requires a container with moist peat or sand etc, ideally of around 4cm deep, or a substrate of this. The eggs are quite large, usually up to 9.5mm long, 5.6mm wide, and 6mm high. The eggs are brownish-grey, with lots of pit-marks, and sports a very distinctive embossed outline of a four-fingered hand. The eggs go black when kept damp. About 3 months after reaching maturity the female mates, and starts laying eggs a few weeks later, then continues mating and laying eggs for around a year, eventually laying over a hundred in all, sometimes in batches. The eggs should be kept buried in warm (just above room temperature, say 24 degrees Celsius), slightly moist, sand or peat, with the eggs operculum (or lid) upwards and level with the surface. Infected, mouldy eggs should be removed (a mould inhibitor can help prevent this from happening). Hatch rate is only around 30%, and the eggs take a year or more to hatch. December 2014 Website: www.phasmid-study-group.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/PhasmidStudyGroup Newsletter 133.18 Food plants. Ive generally fed mine on bramble (Rubus fruticosus, etc) as I have an abundant supply of this in the local woods. I have tried them on Ivy, but they did not take to it from me, though other keepers have found that they liked it. They also apparently can eat guava, rose, strawberries, currants, oaks, beeches, hazelnut, rhododendron and hawthorn leaves. In Paul Broks 1999 Malayan book, he mentions the wild food plants Rubus moluccanus (Rosaceae), Grewia acuminata (Tiliaceae), Eugenia aquea (Myrtaceae), and Uncaria (Rubiaceae), indicating they are widely distributed by accepting many food plants.

Accommodation. Ive found no problem in keeping nymphs and adults in the same container, and both need similar conditions. The container needs to be large ie around 30cm x 30cm x 40cm, and especially it should be at least 35-40cm tall (so they have ample room to moult). The dimensions obviously need to be larger still if many Jungle Nymphs are kept. I keep them on a paper base, with a small, moist peat-filled tray for egg-laying. Any substrate (peat, sand, vermiculite, etc) could be used, but if they are egg-laying it can be hard to find the eggs if laid in this substrata. They need some humidity, but I find spraying the food stuff and the peat-filled tray 2-3 times a week OK for this. They like a drink, but if young nymphs are kept in the same cage it is not a good idea to have an open water container in the cage as they may drown in it. I find the regular spraying gives them water droplets to drink. They need warmth, but not necessarily a high temperature. I place them on a heat mat giving them a little above roo teperature, say 22 to 25 degrees Celsius.

Behaviour. The males initially defend themselves by falling and feigning death, they may also flash their wings. Unfortunately, they also can pinch you spitefully between their spiny legs. The female will normally raise her abdomen and spread out her hind legs, setting a finger trap for the unwary, she also can rub her wings together to produce a loud hissing sound. Both males and feales defences can draw blood in humans. Unlike Eurycantha, you cannot tame a Jungle Nymph. You may handle them regularly as nymphs, and think they are used to you, but they still get very cantankerous after their last moults and then need to be either handled very carefully and patiently or, if you are in a hurry, handled with gloves.

Nymphs. The nymphs are large, initially brown, and very robust. Males have a single, white abdominal segment, the females two. Males mature in around 12 months and moult 6 times. The female matures in around 16 months, and moults 7 times. Males mature more quickly than females and live around 10 months as adults. Females can live over a year as an adult. The feales green, greenish-yellow or, rarely, yellow colouring appears after the 4th or 5th moult, and the presence of a pointed ovipositor also helps identify it as female. You can spot when a female is adult because then the forewings cover the rear wings completely, before this both sets of wings are visible. You can spot when the male is adult because until then no wings are visible. Ensure they have a humid cage big enough for the number of Jungle Nymphs kept and, as they get bigger, especially ensure they have space to moult without being too disturbed by others in the cage, and that they have something firm and high to hang from with lots of space around when doing so. Sub-adult Jungle Nymphs, especially females on their last couple of moults, are very heavy and are prone to die from a bad moult if not given optimum conditions - I found this the hardest part to getting a Jungle Nymph to reach adulthood and, even with optimum conditions, the last moult is not always clean, especially if the Jungle Nymph falls during a moult at night when you are not around to help it.

Adult. The female grows to about 150mm long, the male about 90mm. The female has a flat, wide, leaf-like body, usually in bright green, but occasionally in yellow, sometimes with their edges bordered in brown. This colour may camouflage it among leaves in the wild (and on the grass in my garden), but when a female escaped a photo session in my garden one summer, three days later I found its big, bright green body sticking out like a saw thumb on my garden wall. The head usually has 12 spines, in 2 rows of 3 on top of the head, and another 2 rows of 3 below the head. The legs are stout and sport an array of spines. The fore-wings are thick and green and, in the adult, cover the rear wings completely, which are leaf-patterned, and tinged with pink. The male is brown all over and, except for its abdomen, covered in spines. It also has some black and white markings.

Though they both have wings, only the male can fly. In the wild, enemies include lizards, birds, spiders, and parasitic wasps and flies which develop inside their body. Captive-bred species should be safe from these problems. This species has many thorn-like spines all over its body, including the legs and head. Some of the spines can be as long as 10 mm. Both male and females have large spines on their hind legs, particularly the female, and in both cases they can inflict wounds with a jabbing or clamping action when attacking inquisitive fingers. This species has gynandromorphs (part male, part female) reared several times (halved are the best, but partial forms are commoner) - and they found in the wild, which is unusual.

References Baxter, R. N. (2002) Rearing Stick and Leaf Insects, Chudleigh Publishing. Brock, P. D. (2000) A Complete Guide to Breeding Stick and Leaf Insects, Kingdom Books. What a Whopper! (I put this picture in the PSG Photo Competition one year – sadly, judge Paul Brock was not fooled, and was not impressed). Wordsearch on page 8 – Answers.

December 2014 Website: www.phasmid-study-group.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/PhasmidStudyGroup Newsletter 133.19 RECENT ADDITIONS TO THE CULTURE LIST by A.J.E. Harman

In 2008 there was a hiatus regarding the Culture List. Prior to then, when species were added, a synopsis of the species was written up for the PSG Newsletters. Eventually all the species added will be written up, though not in numerical order. I will start with those recently added.

PSG No.368 Brockphasma spinifemoralis Ho et al., 2014. This species was brought into culture and distributed by Joachim Bresseel. Specimens were collected from Bach Ma National Park in Vietnam. Both sexes are wingless. Foodplants include Bramble, Pyracantha, Hawthorn and Ferns.

PSG No.369 Eurycnema sp. Tior. This species was brought into culture from specimens collected by Francis Seow-Choen in Timor, Indonesia. Ian Abercrombie reared the first batch of eggs. Both sexes are winged; females are large 250-275 mm; males smaller at 125-150 mm. Foodplants include Eucalyptus and Oaks. This may be PSG No.28 Eurycnema versirubra (Audinet-Serville, 1838). The original culture was from West Malaysia and parthenogenetic.

PSG No.370 Melophasma antillarum (Caudell, 1914). This species was found in Guadeloupe by Christian Dupre. Eggs were sent by Yannick Bellanger to Rob Krijns who brought the insect into culture. Both sexes have small wings but are flightless. Both are extremely cryptic. Foodplants include Hypericum, Bramble and Beech. The original description was based on specimens collected on Dominica in 1913.

PSG No.371 Necrosciinae Ta Dao. This species was brought into culture from specimens collected by Joachim Bresseel in Tam Dao National Park in Vietnam. Both sexes are winged but not capable of flight. This species can be reared on Hypericum; I use the variety Hidcote.

PSG No.372 Phasma gigas (Linnaeus, 1758). This species was brought into culture by Bruno Kneubuhler who obtained eggs from a local dealer in Jailolo, Halmahera Island, Indonesia. Both sexes are winged; females are 190 mm; males 115-120 mm. Foodplants include Eucalyptus, Oaks, Bramble and Hazel. This species is a Moluccan endemic and was earlier confused with PSG No.190 Phasma reinwardtii from Papua- New Guinea.

PSG No.373 Entoria sp. Bah Ma. This species was brought into culture from specimens collected by Joachim Bresseel in Bach Ma National Park, Vietnam. Both sexes are wingless; females are 140 mm; males are 95 mm. Foodplants include Bramble, Hawthorn and Rose.

PSG No.374 Marmessoidea sp. Cat Tien. This species was brought into culture from specimens collected by Joachim Bresseel in Cat Tien National Park in Vietnam. Both sexes are winged though not capable of sustained flight. Males are 75 mm. and females are 90 mm. Eggs are glued to the substrate. Foodplants include Bay, Privet, Lilac, Hypericum, Bramble and Snowberry.

PSG No.375 Paramenexenus asper Redtenbacher, 1908. This species was brought into culture from specimens collected by Joachim Bresseel in Kay Yen Tu National Park in Vietnam. Both sexes are wingless. Males are 55-60 mm. and females are 80 mm. Foodplants include Bramble, Hawthorn and Rose.

PSG No.376 Brizoides amabilis Redtenbacher, 1906. The present culture was established from 9 eggs collected by Yannick Bellanger in Tobago in 2008. Only 3 eggs hatched, producing 2 females and 1 male. Males are 49 mm; females are 61.5 mm. Foodplants include Plantago lanceolata, Ligustrum sp., Syringa sp. and Hypericum.

PSG No.377 Euobrimus lacerta (Redtenbacher, 1906). This species was brought into culture by Rob Krijns from eggs sent from the Philippines by Thiery Heitzmann in 2011. They were collected on Mt. Pulog, Bicol Province, Luzon Island. Both sexes are wingless. Males are 65-70 mm; females are 109-120 mm. Foodplants include Bramble, Raspberry, Oaks and Hazel. December 2014 Website: www.phasmid-study-group.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/PhasmidStudyGroup Newsletter 133.20 PHASMA MEETING UDENHOUT OCTOBER 2014 by Ian Bushell

The 54th Phasma Meeting, again well organised by Rob Krijns, was held at the Bosch en Duin at Udenhout on Sunday 13th October; a delightful pub/restaurant set besides extensive woods and reputedly used by Napoleon during his European tours. Some 60 members from The Netherlands, Belgium and Germany, plus 3 from the UK, attended and it followed the normal informal nature of these meetings which allows plenty of time for socialising between the talks/discussions and livestock exchange, plus a quiz based on some of Paul van Ulft's dead stock.

Two talks were given by Joachim Bresseel on his most recent expedition to Vietnam for the Brussels Natural History Museum; this time to the Hoang Lien and Cat Ba National Parks, and Tay Yen Nature Reserve. Many new species were identified and collected but the prize specimen was a Haaniella sp. This was a total surprise as all other Haniella sps. have only been found in Borneo, Sumatra and Singapore, and opens up the possibility of other finds along Peninsula Malaysian and through Thailand and Cambodia. As previously many of the new species discovered were available in the livestock exchange.

This was followed by a lively discussion on the Phasid Protection Projet. With the PSG List now nearing 400, plus numerous species in culture but not yet listed, there is danger of the more mundane and less spectacular species becoming lost cultures. Whilst this was acknowledged no conclusion was reached other than urging members to 'adopt' at least one of the endangered species in order to prevent them being lost.

As with us the high spot of the meeting is the livestock exchange. Conducted slightly differently to our own, where all available stock is listed and then individual bids for 'wants' are submitted. These are sorted, then distributed to the individuals and the remaining stock is offered as we do. My self restraint was weak and I ended up returning with numerous insects and eggs but most, hopefully, to offer up at our January meeting. All in all a most successful and enjoyable meeting and a chance to meet up with friends from the continent, catch up on their news and discuss different methods of culturing the various species.

Many thanks must again go to Kristien and Rob for their generous hospitality in putting Mark, Ian Abercrombie and me up and making this such an enjoyable time. Subsequent to the meeting Kristien contacted us to say that Joachim had had a fire in his house and everything in the stickroom is destroyed. All the new material from Vietnam didn't survive, all the cages are burned out. Please see my comments in the Livestock Report (on page 4) and act.

The Stick “Tip Exchange” by Mike Smith

Clacton-on-sea, Essex Going on holiday? Who will look after your critters? It seems a shame that the joys of going on a well-deserved holiday can be marred by fears that the critters you have cared for so carefully for so long will have their welfare left in the lap…... of the gods. .To be honest, whatever you do, there will be a risk of loss or damage as no-one will know your pets as well as you do. However, what you can do, and this can give you much peace of mind, is to tip the scales in favour of your critters. In Mark Jaksos excellent article on page 10, you can see how the choice of foodstuff .can make a major difference to whether your pets are well fed. But there is so much more to keeping a critter healthy than just feeding, and each ages set-up is different with their own unique requirements. If you go on holiday for up to a week, you should be able to just about get away with giving your pets stacks of food (albeit picking foods that will last longer eg ivy for sticks that eat it, biscuits for roaches, apples for millipedes, etc) and they should fare okay. But what if you are away for over a week?

One thing I find helps is to keep the critters in their own environment, so get a helper to come in to look after them (as opposed to farming them out – but ensure it is someone you trust with your house key). Secondly, try to use the same helper each time, ideally someone with previous experience of your species of pets. I am very lucky that my daughter Tracey is an expert with animals and is usually available to look after mine in my absence. Obviously, it is a good idea to show the person how to look after your particular critters, though this relies on their memory. So I add an extra string to my bow, on each cage I put a Post-it note with specific instructions on (see sample on right). In addition I leave a generic note explaining eg where the animal food can be found and what date I am returning, plus a little money to buy food should anything run out. Finally, dot forget to bring back a little souvenir of your holiday for the carer .

Please send in YOUR tips for stick keeping.

December 2014 Website: www.phasmid-study-group.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/PhasmidStudyGroup Newsletter 133.21 Stick Tripadvisor by David Holland

After a recent trip to Colombia, I thought that it would be a good idea if our members could write about where they have been looking for phasmids, so others know whether or not it is a good place to go for that purpose. I hope that such articles would be of interest, even to people who have no desire to go looking for phasmids. I have wasted precious time and money in some really rubbish places and I have – embarrassingly – even been to one city 5 times without realizing that there were some good places nearby for seeking phasmids. Hopefully others will join me in writing such reviews, or this will be a monotonous series of reviews just by myself.

FIRST REVIEW Place: Leticia, Colombia Amazon. Recommendation: Dot go there; waste of time and money Personal Safety: Fine Safety From Wildlife: Far too good Comment: Although the Amazon is a very good place to go to look for wildlife, you need to know where to go. I cannot say where to go with 100% certainty, but I can say that Leticia is not a good place to be based. Unfortunately, in 2005 I went there on an inclusive tour. It was a mistake, all the trips apart from one were daytime-based, and it was not possible to find any phasmids near the hotel. I managed to spend only 45 minutes in total in the forest at night, and only found one Pseudophasma putidum. For possible places in the Colombian Amazon: see these websites: http://www.reservamarasha.com, http://www.palmari.org I at recommend these as I have not been there. However it is important to check that you are able to work in the jungle at night; this is not always allowed, on health and safety grounds. Sadly, many people who want to see the jungle like comfort a lot more than seeing animals, and dot want to see snakes etc.

Stick Talk is e-mailed to around 640 subscribers in over 40 countries worldwide and is a list dedicated to stick insects: queries, answers, information, etc. As a Stick Talk list member, you will receive a short e-mail every few days. 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, visit the website: www.sticktalk.com and click on “Join”. 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 it's secure, safe from bad language, and there will be no spam.

Contributions to the Newsletter. I am as always very much indebted to all the wonderful contributors to this Newsletter - many, many thanks to you all; without your sterling help there would be no Newsletter. I hope, as usual, that there is something here for everyone. Please, would all members send in a contribution, including any reviews on shows and meetings, drawings, photos, phasmid problems, answers to problems, crosswords, quizzes, puzzles, web site details, ideas or comments on the Newsletters or the PSG, etc, etc. Do’t worry if you a’t spell, have no pictures, or think your contribution is not scientific enough. Just send in whatever you like, this is YOUR Newsletter, and Ill put in it everything you send in – and correct any spellings and add pictures (if needed). See the PSG Website if you want help on how to write articles. E-mail them to: [email protected], or post them to Mike Smith, 13 Runnacles Street, Silver End, Witham, Essex, CM8 3QN, England, UK. The very latest date for contributions to the next PSG Newsletter in June is 22nd May 2015 (but contributions received before then will be particularly much-appreciated).

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON DIARY DATES: You should check with the organisers that the event is still on, and at the times shown, before setting out (These are placed in the Newsletter in good faith, but no Diary responsibility is taken by the PSG for any errors). If you attend these or other shows, please send in a review for the Newsletter. If you are aware of any additional shows, exhibitions, fairs, etc, however big or small, wherever they Dates are, if stick insects and/or other creepy crawlies are likely to be present, please pass the details on to the Editor. E- mail them to: [email protected].

South East Arachnid Show (S.E.A.S.), Sunday 25th January 2015, 11am – 5pm, The Ashford International Hotel, Simone Weil Avenue, Ashford, TN24 8UX. See: http://www.invicta-arachnid-club.co.uk/index.php?slab=s.e.a.s. PSG Summer Meeting. Saturday, 4th July 2015. 11.30am, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London. Full details of date and room will be available later, see PSG website and the June 2015 PSG Newsletter for more information.

December 2014 Website: www.phasmid-study-group.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/PhasmidStudyGroup Newsletter 133.22 Photos of Phasmid Eggs by Ingrid Hayette Here are a few photos of phasmid eggs taken by Francois Tetaert in France. We sent eggs to Francois to make these excellent pictures. You can find more photos of eggs and information on phasmids on Francois' website: www. d i l a w a t a . fr. [Thanks to Francois for permission to reproduce them here.]

(These photos are amazing; real wonders of nature. I strongly recommend looking at these and many more on the website. They are reminiscent of the pictures of eggs in Ron Baxter’s excellent book “Rearing Stick & Leaf Insects”. But Ron’s pictures are paintings, Francois’ pictures are photos. Shows how much cameras have improved over the years).

December 2014 Website: www.phasmid-study-group.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/PhasmidStudyGroup Newsletter 133.23 Lichen or Ets? By Alexander Karas

Alexander says check out the photos of lichen-mimicking Extatosoma tiaratum. Ales wife Jennifer spotted them on a tree, on 4th September 2014, in Landsborough, Queensland, Australia. Four individuals were seen in a small area and possibly lots more were elsewhere on the tree. All laying flat and trying to look like lichen. He said it was the first time he had seen Ets acting like this, and he was totally amazed and surprised. As Paul Brock says, No animal is going to spot these! Alex said that in some of the photos they became disturbed by his photography and stood up; prior to this they were even better camouflaged. Alex added that for more images of them, refer to his flickr gallery at https://www.flickr.com/photos/96984539@N07/. He says there appears to be a significant number of these lichen-mimicking individuals on this tree. The more we look the more we see. They are all on their host plant which was found to be Schotia brachypetala or Drunken Parrot tree, it is an exotic tree which they seem to love as a food plant. The last photo is by Mike Smith and shows a more typical colouring and stance of an Et in captivity.

Et Here.

The Schotia brachypetala tree is native to Zimbabwe, Natal, Mozambique, and Swaziland. Family Fabaceae. It is often planted along streets and road sides in Queensland. Its medium size and drought hardiness makes it excellent for this purpose. Also, tolerant of frost to -5 degrees C. A very ornamental species which is spectacular when in flower. Flowers appear September to October. The flowers are numerous and deep red producing copious quantities of nectar. Presumably it is known as the Drunken Parrot Tree as parrots like eating the flowers (see photo on right) and get druk from the nectar..

Incidentally, Jack Hasenpusch (Garranguna, Nr Innisfail, north Queensland) rears lichen Ets! See Jaks photo on the left. Same situation here with the lichens where they lay flat on the upper surface of the branches as well, quite often on lichen or moss also.

December 2014 Website: www.phasmid-study-group.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/PhasmidStudyGroup Newsletter 133.24