The Phasmid study Group Chair: Mrs Judith Marshall Department of Entomology, British Museum (Natural History). Cromwell Road. London SW7 SBD Treasurer/Membership: Paul Brock (Phone 0753-79447) "Papillon". 40 Thorndike Road. Slough. Berks SL2 1SR Secretary: Adrian Durkin (Phone 0562-882420) 8 Foley Road. Pedrnore. Stourbridge. W. Midlands. DY9 ORT September 1989 NEWSLETTER NO. 40 ISSN 0268-3806 Perhaps the very hot weather kept the numbers at our summer meeting at the Natural History Museum down to around 30, but 10 from across the Channel still came, from four countries. Members were armed with their own translators and with dictionaries! At long last some more English members joined the French GEP. Some 33 species were given away, 26 of them by Willy de Ruyter (No. 367). Paul Brock (No. 26) showed his latest video of some 17 species - mostly very new and some on their unusual foodplants. Paul also gave a brief talk on video techniques covering formats. equipment available and some problems. 1990 AGM - This has been booked for 27th January in the Demonstration Room at the Natural History Museum (same place, only the name has changed back!). Will any members wanting items included on the agenda please send them to the Assistant Secretary, Angela Parwani (No. 419), to reach her by 18th October. AES EXHIBITION - 7th October, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Kempton Park Racecourse, Staines Road, Sunbury, Surrey. Contact Paul Jennings (No. 80 - phone 0582-583954). THIRD DUTCH-BELGIAN PHASMID DISCUSSION MEETING Report by Kim D'Hulster (No. 372) This took place on 7th May 1989 at Kim's home in St-Niklaas, Belgium. Eleven PSG members were present and there were four visitors: two PSG members from Germany and two GEP members from France. Some highlights: 1. Personal problems with difficult species were discussed in detail and, where possible, solutions were suggested. 2. New species in culture should be identified as soon as possible to promote uniformity in nomenclature. 3. Each member will study one species in more detail. 4. Egg display: some ideas (glass vials, microscope slides, plastic cubic contain­ ers with magnifying lids) were discussed. 5. Photographs will be taken and drawings made of existing and certainly of new species for the archives. 6. When a member gives up a species, he or she should make sure that it stays in culture with some other members. 7. Anatomy: an accurate schematic drawing of a phasmid, naming all the parts (in Latin and with translations) will be made enabling members to use exact terminology when describing a phasmid. 8. Exchange: 46 species were exchanged or given away. A detailed three-page report is available (in Dutch or English, on request from Kim) for members who are especially interested. [The amount of study being undertaken and the degree of co-operation among all these members should be an example to us all. - Eds] 40:2 PUBLICITY INITIATIVES BY EUROPEAN MEMBERS Two of our members deserve special mention for the magnificent amount of work and enterprise they are showing in bringing both phasmids and the Group to the attention of the public. In Belgium, Willy de Ruyter (No. 367) ran a display, unaided, throughout the 10-day International Aquarimn S~lon in Houthalen. A Belgian daily newspaper referred to the main attraction being a 5-metre long aquarium with 40 different phasmid species! Willy also displayed a complete range of nymphs and eggs. He spoke to 1300 visitors, and the international jury awarded him a special certificate for one of the most interesting and popular exhibits. Meanwhile, in Holland, Johan van Gorkom (No. 250) is organising a 4-day phasmid event in conjunction with other Dutch/Belgian members and the Amsterdam Zoological Gardens. There will be 30 living species on show, plus displays of eggs and preserved sticks, videos of camouflage, defence and life histories, slides, and a one-hour talk each day: Four people will be available to answer questions. The event will be held in the Insect House and will be open to PSG members and other specialists on 13th October 1989, and to the public on 14th-16th October. For more information, contact Johan in Holland (phone 035-217719). FIFTH NORTH LONDON ENTOMOLOGICAL FAIR Report by Paul Jennings (No. 80) Eighteen species were displayed, including nine for giving away. Despite the poor turnout of exhibitors and the public, four new members were recruited. Apologies have been received from the organiser, with an offer of free tables next year. My thanks to all who helped. LIVESTOCK CO-ORDINATOR'S REPORT by Phil Bragg (No. 445) Only a few members are sending in eggs, and most requests are from new members; those from longstanding members are often for LOST species. Other requests are almost always for the well-known (in books) species. I have several outstanding requests for Orxines macklottii. NEW SPECIES - At least 27 (!) additional to those on the Species List are now in culture or being attempted. It is hoped to publish updated lists of these with the December Newsletter. STOP PRESS: Plus 41 more just caught in Ecuador!! THREE MUSEUM COLLECTIONS IN BRITAIN by Paul Brock (No. 26) For the serious stick and leaf insect enthusiast, herewith brief notes on some British collections (all have good library facilities also). How about some notes on other European museums? Natural History Museum, South Kensington, London Overall, the entomology section comprises some 24 million specimens, representing 450,000 species (the third largest collection in the world). The collection of stick and leaf insects, housed on the fourth floor with the Orthoptera collection, is extensive. Many of the specimens were collected in the 1800s and early 1900s and were worked on by Kirby, who published his catalogue in 1904. This publication includes references to type specimens in the collection, although many more have since been added. It is unfortunate that Brunner van Wattenwyl and Redtenbacher's book (1906-08) excludes reference to Kirby, thereby creating confusion in some areas. In my experience, the collection has been extremely useful in identifying species from various countries, although names may well have changed from the labelled specimens (i.e. genus amended by subsequent author, synonyms). The collection is strong in African, Asian, Australasian and some Central and South American species. The European collection is reasonable, but only common North American species are included. Recently collected worldwide material is also regularly received and period­ ically added to the main collection. Some fascinating material is held from many countries in separate drawers - unidentified and a few with inadequate data. 40:3 Hope Entomological Collections, University Museum, Oxford There are some 80 cabinet drawers of stick and leaf insects in this collection, second only in size and importance to the Natural History Museum collection. Many of the specimens in Westwood's outstanding work (1859) are housed here. The types are kept separately (approximately 200) - mainly Westwood, but also Gray, Serville and Bates. The collection is particularly strong in Asian species, more so than the Natural History Museum. Data are often insufficient; some unidentified species are housed. There is a fascinating book on the history of the collections by Audrey Z. Smith (OUP, 1986). University Museum of zoology Insect Collection, Cambridge Stick and leaf insects are not well represented in this collection, which has an emphasis on British material. However, the specimens housed here are of interest. The main section is included in 16 cabinet drawers, mainly material by Shelford from Kuching, Sarawak, 1901. Most is unidentified, although one or two drawers contain pencil suggestions (by Shelford?) as to species or "n. sp.". Many Lonchodes are included. A few other species are to be found from Australia, Africa, etc, along with type specimens (Sharp, New Britain material). The Percy Sladen collections from an expedition to the Indian Ocean (up to 1909) are kept separately and include most of the Seychelles species. The index of genera also referred to European specimens which were eventually located in a separate cabinet - a total of three specimens! SOME NOTES ON NEW AFRICAN SPECIES by Patrick van der Stigchel (No. 336) I am very pleased that more and more African species are being brought into culture. Though not very impressive, their method of egg layiRg (gluing) is quite curious. Most species seem to be more delicate than phasmids from other areas. Food, in my opinion, is not the main point. I think most failures arise because of a wrong climate in the cage. African species seem to like an airy, well-ventilated cage. I therefore use several ventilators for my cages, because there must be a current of air. African species also seem to appreciate sunlight. They can be kept at quite high temperatures, if their cages are well ventilated. Several twigs should be provided for egg laying. Now I will mention a few particular species. Burundi sp. I - This is probably a Ramulus sp. (by comparison with those in the collection in Tervuren, Belgium). This species was brought back about three years ago by a friend of No~l Mal (No. 395) - Nicolas Schlitz - from the Teza forest, Burundi. Length of female about 68 mm (head to tip of abdomen); colour light brown. Length of male about 59 mm; colour quite dark on the back, underside much lighter, legs somewhat mottled. It is remarkable that males live much longer (in my culture) than females. This species breeds quite well. I was surprised that this African species barely touches grasses or robinia (false acacia). Their favourite foodplants are bramble and raspberry. Burundi sp. 11 - Also a Ramulus sp. (perhaps the same as PSG 41) and also b rought back by Nicolas Schlitz, from Mosso, Burundi.