The Phasmid Study Group
SEPTEMBER 2005 NEWSLETTER No 103 PSG 25th Anniversary Year zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA ISSN 0268-3806 1980 - 2005 The PSG celebrates
its 25th Anniversary year in style at the Summer Meeting. (Pictures and stories inside).
Picture on left, by Mike Strick, shows the celebratory cake being cut by Judith Marshall (PSG Chairman), and Tony James (PSG Member No 1, and founder of the PSG).
September 2005 Website: www.stickinsect.org.uk Newsletter 103.1 Diary Dates
Newark Entomological Show Sunday, 11th September, 2005, 12am-4pm, Grove Leisure Centre, , London Rd., Balderton, Newark (off the Al). (Contact for tables or information: Paul Holt, 01636 674723 or 07901 577251).
AES Exhibition
Saturday, 1st October, 2005, 1 lam. Kempton Park Racecourse, Staines Road, Kempton Park, Sunbury-on Thames, Middlesex. Contact: AES, PO Box 8774, London, SW7; E-mail: [email protected].
Spring Entomological (formerly Kettering) Show 10.30 am, Sunday, 2 April 2006; Kettering Leisure Village, Kettering, Northants. (Contact Jack Harris, 01455 444792).
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON DIARY DATES: Please check with the organisers that the event is still on, & at times shown, before setting out - the PSG cannot be responsible for a wasted journey. (NB I will now list only those shows 1 have full details on, but please still check).
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, where stick insects are likely to be present, wherever the show may be, please pass the details on to the Editor.
The Phasmid Study Group is invited to exhibit at many shows. If you would like to help run our stand, please contact the member named, or Paul Jennings, our Exhibitions and Meeting Officer: 89 Brackensdale Avenue, Derby, DE22 4AF, Tel: 01332 343477.
REQUEST FOR ARTICLES. ETC. FOR THE PSG NEWSLETTER Please send me your articles, reviews on shows and meetings, wants & exchanges, drawings, photos, phasmid problems, answers to problems, crosswords, quizzes, puzzles, web site details, ideas or comments on the Newsletters, etc, etc. Providers of Newsletter submissions are likely to receive a full-colour Newsletter! My details are in each Newsletter. Many thanks, Editor.
Members' Area of PSG WEBSITE (www.stickinsect.org.uk):
The following User Name and Password gives access to the Member's Only area of the PSG Website. Among other privileges it allows the viewing, and downloading, of this PSG Newsletter in full colour.
(Case sensitive) USER NAME: PSGmembers Password: Indian
| INC Paqe Content Paqe Content
2 Diary Dates 12 Defensive Behaviour of Sipyloidea sp 3 Editorial 12 PSG Summer Meeting 4 Stick Talk 15 PSG Prize Draw 5 The Colour Page 16 Epidares nolimetangere 6 PSG Merchandise 18 Cartoon 7 New Additions to the PSG Culture List 19 PSG Committee 9 The Icing Sugar Fungus 19 Contributions to the Newsletter 10 Cameras & Photography 19 Wants & Exchanges 11 Using Invertebrates for Incubation of Ova 20 PSG Membership Application Form 12 Defensive Behaviour of Sipyloidea sp Last Sheet - PSG Questionnaire
September 2005 Website: www.stickinsect.org.uk Newsletter 103.2 Editorial \
Welcome to the September PSG Newsletter. It is slightly shorter than recent issues, partly /^Sfc-i because I've had fewer contributions sent to me, but also as I've used a tighter format. I hope you r like the new format. I've used MS PowerPoint and, as I thought, I found there are some advantages over MS Word, but also disadvantages. But it makes a nice change from using Word all the time, so I will probably stick with PowerPoint for a while at least. (Thanks to Cameron DK for helping me with it). However, please send me your Newsletter contributions on MS Word if at all possible, it is the easiest option for me and my computer to cope with. I am still on a learning curve regarding using PowerPoint, and I'm still experimenting with what it can do, so if you have any comments or ideas for improvements on its use in this Newsletter, I'd be most grateful to hear from you.
Contributions for the Newsletter. I really do not want to put off anyone from sending me contributions for the Newsletter (quite the reverse, I hope to receive lots for the December issue please!). However, I've had problems with my PC, so please may I make a small request that you try not to send me single e-mails bigger than 2 MB. Instead, please split the up contribution into more than one e-mail, or send it to me by post eg on a disk. (Send it to me by post as hard copy alone only as a last resort, please, because these take me ages to process as I do not "touch type"). Apologies for any inconvenience. Please do send in contributions, and by 1sl November 2005. for December Newsletter - thanks.
Questionnaire. I'm sure you can think of better things to do than complete the enclosed questionnaire and return it to
me by 14th November 2005, especially on one of those few days we have glorious sunshine. But the questionnaire is quite short, and with easy multiple choice questions, so it should be far from taxing or time consuming, and it is also anonymous (unless you particularly want us to know who it is from, or you want a reply, in which case you are welcome to add your details). So - PLEASE COMPLETE AND RETURN THE QUESTIONNAIRE, and make your preferences known. The future direction of the PSG is in your hands. Many thanks! (See box at bottom of this page).
PSG Committee Member Roles. Finally, there has been some confusion within the committee over what the roles of the various posts consist of. We also have the problem of prospective volunteers to join the committee wanting to know what they are letting themselves in for. Therefore, the committee are producing a set of "Role Profiles", generally these are duty notes summarising the role of each committee member. These should be agreed by the committee and put to the members by the time of the PSG AGM.
Regards to all, Mike Smith
NB Janine reminds all members to please phone her before kindly sending her your spare nymphs, so appropriate arrangements can be made for their arrival, and send her nothing 1 to 14 October (see page 19 for full details). Thanks.
VACANCY FOR POST OF HONORARY SECRETARY TO THE PSG After many years of service, Phil Bragg has decided to retire from his post of Secretary to the PSG (he will remain editor of Phasmid Studies). Many thanks Phil for looking after the pest for all those years. We now seek volunteers to take over the role, and the final decision will be taken at the PSG AGM in January. If you are interested in taking on this post, please send your details to Judith Marshall, PSG Chairman, Dept. of Entomology, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD. (Tel: 0207 942 5610; Fax 020 7942 5229); E-mail: chairman @ stickinsect.orq.uk. The post of Secretary is quite an important one with a number of responsibilities. If you want to discuss these, please contact Judith Marshall for further information. Generally, the Secretary's role (as with any other committee), principally entails arranging agendas, writing minutes, and chasing action points of PSG meetings. There may also be some administrative aspects to the role on an ad hoc basis.
QUESTIONNAIRE It would be very much appreciated if you would please take the time to complete the questionnaire that accompanies this Newsletter, and return it to: PSG Questionnaire, do Mike Smith, 13 Runnacles Street, Silver End, witham, Essex, CMS 3QN., England.
The questionnaire asks only 8 questions, and the answers need only a tick against multiple choice answers. It is that simple. Of course, you do need to put your own postage stamp on the envelope when you reply, please.
If you want to discuss any of the questions, you are welcome to contact Mike Smith by phone or e-mail (01376 584388, [email protected]). If you want to qualify any of your answers, or draw attention to something that is not covered by the questionnaire, you are welcome to fill in the "comments" box at the bottom of the questionnaire - and to continue on a separate sheet if there is insufficient space in the comments box.
The provision of the questionnaire, and the possibly pointed questions, do not necessarily imply any particular problems or any intended remedies that are being actively considered, so do not read too much into them. The purpose of it is to seek clarification (if possible) on the accuracy of anecdotal evidence on what it is thought our members like and dislike. If and when the Committee need to make decisions, or make recommendations to the membership, it obviously is best if it is not based on hearsay evidence. For this reason: We need as big a reply base as possible. So please do return your completed questionnaire, as soon as you can, and by 14lh November 2005 at the very latest. Many thanks.
September 2005 Website: www.stickinsect.org.uk Newsletter 103.3 The Stick Talk list is totally independent of the PSG, though many Stick Talk list members are also members of the PSG. If you want to join the list, e-mail: [email protected]
It's totally free of charge; and if you do not like it, just send an e-mail asking to be taken off the list. It is also moderated by hard-working moderators, so it's secure, safe from abusive language, and there will be no spam. As a Stick Talk list member, you will receive one e-mail By Mike Smith most days. Typical issues raised are in the following short extracts - enjoy. zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBASticktalk is e-mailed to over 220 subscribers in over 20 Some typical photos from Stick Talk appear on The countries worldwide. Colour Page / include below some Stick Talk comments on the meeting, some have had words and Stick Talkers at the PSG Summer Meeting photos edited out to fit them all in.
Twenty three of the 45 or so PSG members at the Summer PSG Meeting were also members of Stick Talk. (Around 50%!). This picture, taken on my camera by a kind PSG member (sorry, I did not get your name), was ostensibly taken to present to Ursula; an inspirational, dedicated, Stick Talk moderator - and PSG member - in the USA, who cannot make our London PSG meetings (yet?). But I thought it would look good in the Newsletter too. For the record, it was Derek's good idea, and Mike Strick also had a picture of us taken with his camera which appears on the Stick Talk website. From left to right: Alan Hendy, Mike Smith, Unknown, Chris Mann, Unknown, Sarah Houghton, Derek TP, Chris Pull, Marion Kim, Cameron DK, Angus Dymoke, Unknown, Rowena TP (Weeny), Dave Page, Cameron Strick, Jenny, David B, Katherine Gardner, Natalie Ford, Mike Strick, Kristien Rabaey, Rob Simoens, Kim D'Hustler. (Apologies if any names are wrong, bad spellings, etc, but this is my best shot (we did not take people's names on the day) - if anyone can fill the gaps or offer corrections, let me know and I'll put them in the next Newsletter. Thanks).
Claudia writes: First, my Mike Strick (UK) writes: Our thanks to Sfeve Hayward (S. Wales) writes: You guys sound like you condolences to everyone in everyone who organised today's PSG all had a great day out. Congrats everyone and best of luck London over the transit meeting. Recent events failed to cast a with your new stickies. attacks. Natalie's account shadow over the proceedings and there was Angus (UK) writes: On Saturday I had my first PSG meeting, gave me goosebumps, but a great atmosphere of celebration for the I'm so glad that the PSG 25th Anniversary, with cakes and wine it was really good and exciting. meeting is going on as consumed by all. The raffle was a great Dave Page (UK) writes:, Well another PSG meeting has plannedl success which will hopefully become a come and gone, and what a enjoyable day it was meeting Rob (Netherlands) writes: regular event. Although our family had no old friends and new, and how nice it is to put faces to names, I hope the people who went luck there, I was very touched that the and have a good chat about our favourite subject. to the [PSG] Summer illustration I had donated was the first prize Benjamin Z. Mabanta writes: I'm so glad that you all still Meeting had a great time. to be chosen from the table that was fairly pushed through with the PSG meeting and celebrated the I'm also curious about the groaning under the weight of goodies. It was PSG's 25th Anniversary with cakes and wine :-) I wish I was new species everyone got good to see lots of Sticktalkers doing well in there. hold of at the meeting. the awards. Cameron's talk on basic phasmid anatomy was very well received by Alan Hendy (UK) writes: The PSG meeting went really well, I Timm Fteinhardt writes: all, and probably provided a useful refresher counted at least 40 members which was good and also to Enjoy the PSG meeting. for even the most expert of the audience. see other Sticktalkers as well. Cameron's 'Build your own (Sadly once again I don't The livestock table was magnificently well stick insect' was entertaining as well as informative have the time to fly over, so stocked, I think everyone ended up with have fun and tell us [about multiple new additions to their collections. Chris Pull (UK) writes: It was nice to meet many of you from it] afterwards). Happy 25th to all and thanks again to the Stick talk at the meeting yesterday. I acquired a total of organisers. nine new species. September 2005 Website: www.stickinsect.org.uk Newsletter 103.4 Two of Phyllium bioculatum, one L1 the other L2, by Jerome of Stick Talk.
September 2005 Website: www.stickinsect.org.uk Newsletter 103.5 PSG MERCHANDISE PENS 40p Pens - 40p each + P&P Stickers - 60p each + P&P Car Window Stickers - 60p each + P&P (P&P per order on all the above UK - 25p, Overseas - 40p)
T SHIRTS
With the following designs -
Oreophoetes peruana PSG No 84 STICKERS 60p Aretaon asperrimus PSG No 118 The size of a CD. Phyllium bioculatum PSG No 10 Either sticky on front, for use in car windows, or sticky on back for sticking onto things. £6.50each + P&P ( UK £1.00, Overseas £1.50)
We sold quite a few items at the PSG Summer Meeting. Many members wore a PSG T-shirt. If you want a T-shirt get one soon before we run out of our limited Oreophoetes peruana Aretaon asperhmus Phyllium bioculatum stocks. PSG No 84 (£6.50) PSG No 118 (£6.50) PSG No 10 (£6.50)
Please send your order to James Waddicor, 3 Squires Copse, Peatmoor, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN5 5HB. (Cheques made payable to "The Phasmid Study Group") Tel 01793 877617 for more info if required. All these above items will usually also be available at the Summer and the AGMAA/inter Meetings, prices as above, but you save on the P&P. Also available at these meetings should be a selection of Stick Insect books, at prices lower than the publishers' prices.
BACK COPIES OF NEWSLETTERS FOR SALE. BOOKS ON STICK INSECTS. Back copies of all Newsletters are now available at The PSG Summer and Winter £2 each, or £1.50 each for copies before Meetings usually have numerous September 2001. Prices include postage in UK phasmid (and other) books for sale, only. [Overseas members need to contact Paul often at specially reduced prices. You Brock for details of the postage costs]. Copying will can buy them from the authors and be done in batches within 2 to 3 months, so even get them autographed. Phil members need to be patient. The culture list refers Bragg, Paul Brock, and Ron Baxter are out to which Newsletters cover which species. typical authors.
September 2005 Website: www.stickinsect.org.uk Newsletter 103.6 NEW ADDITIONS AND CHANGES TO THE PSG CULTURE LIST by Phil Bragg
The information below should have been included with the March 2005 Newsletter when the updated culture list was issued; for some reason it didn't make it. [Apologies, there was a bit of confusion on my part about this. Editor.] There are details of one of the species which had been added previously (PSG 241) and information on the new additions to the culture list. There are two new additions (PSG 259 & 260) since the list was issued in March.
PSG 241. Carausius spinosus Brunner, 1907 Culture originated in West Malaysia from three specimens collected by Allan Harman & Mary in August 1999. One female from Chanderiang, Perak State on 06.viii.1999 and one pair from Gunung Jerai, Kedah on 15.viii.1999.
PSG 242. Neohirasea hongkongensis Brock & Seow-Choen, 2000 From Hong Kong, brought into culture by Paul Brock. Females 55mm, males 50mm. Feeds on bramble, hawthorn, ivy, rose, raspberry.
PSG 243. Entoria victoria Brock & Seow-Choen, 2000 From Hong Kong, brought into culture by Sean Cheng. Females 105mm, males 80. Feeds on bramble and hawthorn.
PSG 244. Cuniculina cuniculus (Westwood, 1859) From Hunas Falls, Sri Lanka, collected by Frank Hennemann. Females 130mm, males 80mm. Feeds on bramble, hawthorn and raspberry.
PSG 245. Pylaemenes borneensis sepilokensis (Bragg, 1998) From Sepilok Forest Reserve, Sabah, brought into culture by Mark Bushell. Females 45mm, males 40mm. Feeds on Areacae.
PSG 246. Lonchodes rusticus (Brunner, 1907)
From Sabah; brought into culture by Mark Bushell. Females 75mm, males 65mm. Feeds on bramble.
PSG 247. Lonchodes harmani Bragg & Chan, 1993 From Mt. Kinabalu region of Sabah. Brought into culture by Mark Bushell. Females 130mm, males 90mm. Feeds on bramble. PSG 248. Pylaemenes guangxiensis (Bi & Li, 1994) From Hong Kong, brought into culture by Paul Brock. Parthenogenetic, females 40mm. Feeds on bramble and raspberry. This species has been passed around the group as Pylaemenes hongkongensis Brock & Seow-Choen, 2000; was synonymised with guangxiensis and transferred to Dares, and then transferred back to Pylaemenes.
PSG 249. Metriophasma diodes (Westwood, 1859) From Panama and I've been told it was brought into culture by Sven Bradler. I do not know who identified it. Female 80mm, male 60mm. Feeds on Areacae.
PSG 250. Bacteria ferula (Fabricius, 1793) From Dominica; brought into culture by Tony James. Females 170mm, male 140mm. Feeds on Privet and Hebe. Although I did not keep a record of how long it took, the eggs hatched surprisingly quickly (probably about four months). The culture has been passed around the PSG as Bacteria antillarum which is a junior synonym of ferula.
PSG 251. Ramulus sp. Collected by Allan Harman from Lao Pako in the Vintiane province of Laos on 04.viii.2002. Females 105mm, males 85mm. Feeds on bramble and raspberry. Lays rectangular eggs which are usually brown (see figure, right).
September 2005 PSG 252. Lopaphus sp. Collected by Allan Harman in the Sai Yok National Park in the Kanchanaburi province of Thailand on 17.viii.2001. Females 105mm, males 75mm, a wingless member of the genus. Feeds on bramble and raspberry. The females are particularly soft-bodied and difficult to preserve, the abdomen usually distorts badly.
PSG 253. Ramulus sp. Collected by Allan Harman just outside Khao Yai National Park, 21km from Pak Chong in Thailand on 21 .viii.2002. Lays eggs which are usually grey or dark brown and vaguely squarish (see figure). Females are 115mm. All my survivors were females, I have not seen the males but am assured the culture is usually sexual. Feeds bramble and raspberry. The same species was also collected by Heinz van Herwaarden from Doi Khun Ta National Park in 1988 but a culture was not established (See PSG Newsletter 40).
PSG 254. Ramulus magnus (Brunner, 1907)
From Bangladesh. Females 125mm, 105mm. Feeds on bramble and raspberry.
PSG 255. Trachyaretaon bruckneri Hennemann & Conle From Babuyan Island in the Philippines, brought into culture by Ismael Lumawig. Female 125mm, male 75mm. Feeds on bramble. Eggs cylindrical, black, laid under the soil. [Not yet described.] PSG 256. Orxines semperi (Stal, 1877) Collected on Bohol Island in the Philippines by Frank Hennemann and Oscar Conle. Has minute wings. Female 115mm. Feeds on bramble. Eggs bullet shaped.
PSG 257. Monoignosis bipunctata Cliquennois & Brock, 2004 From Mauritius. Collected by Nicolas Cliquennois. Eggs are attached to leaves, stems, or the side of their cage by threads. Feeds on eucalyptus. Female 60mm, male 50mm.
PSG 258. Parectatosoma mocquerysi Finot, 1897 From Madagascar. Collected by Nicolas Cliquennois. Female 100mm, male 85mm. Feeds on hypericum and eucalyptus.
PSG 259. Pseudophasma menius (Westwood, 1859) From Costa Rica. Collected and identified by Oskar Conle. Feeds on Hebe, Privet and Plantain. Females 65mm, males 50mm. Some people have received the culture under the name Pseudophasma perezii.
PSG 260. Diapherodes gigantea (Gmelin, 1788) I have not been told anything about the origin of the culture; the species is from the West Indies. Females 130mm, males 100mm. Feeds on eucalyptus, evergreen oak, and bramble.
The following species seem to have been identified or re-identified, but not updated on the PSG iist because i was not informed, or in some cases, have only just been able to check that the material identified was the original culture.
PSG 40. Lopaphus nanoalatus Brock, 1999 PSG 53. Hermarchus inermis Redtenbacher, 1908 PSG 58. Pharnacia sumatrana (Brunner, 1907) PSG 61. Aplopus micropterus (St. Fargeau & Serville, 1827) PSG 82. Rhaphiderus spinigerus (Lucas, 1863) PSG 83. Rhaphiderus scabrosus (Percheron, 1829) PSG 87. Parocnophila latirostrata Zompro, 2001 PSG 153. Ramulus siamensis (Brunner, 1907) PSG 235.Brasidas samarensis Rehn & Rehn, 1938 PSG 236.Dimorphodes catenulatus Redtenbacher, 1908 - identified by Oskar Conle.
A number of species have changed names due to synonyms being identified, or generic changes. Of particular note are species previously in Baculum, they are now either Cuniculina or Ramulus; and those previously in Gratidia should be known as Clonaria. The two species previously listed as Prisomera (180 & 232) should now be Sthenoboea. Species which have changed due to synonyms being recognised are:
PSG 111 .Eurycantha insularis Lucas, 1869 PSG 122. Anisomorpha paromalus (Westwood, 1859) PSG 191 .Neophasma borellii (Giglio-Tos, 1897) PSG 220. Malacomorpha cyllarus (Westwood, 1859)
September 2005 Website: www.stickinsect.org.uk Newsletter 103.8 Beauvaria bassiana - The Icing Sugar Fungus by Cameron Die Konigin, with photographs by Sally Ewen
Introduction This article describes an infected culture of Dares verrucosus with the entomopathogenic (insect infecting) fungus, Beauvaria bassiana, and its subsequent eradication. Also covered, in brief, is the biology of Beauvaria bassiana. History Two years ago I received eight my Dares verrucosus originally came from and when I Dares verrucosus (PSG 69) nymphs that came to the Dares container, a 'friendly' face (as well as were 1st generation captive bred insects. the Dares) was there to welcome me. In the bottom, in Over the following six months, five of them died at amongst the substrate were several dead insects, exhibiting the very same fungus that I had experienced the intervals of about one month, and I noticed that the year before. Determined to find the identity of the symptoms were identical: the bodies were partially mycological mystery, I returned home and searched covered in dense white fungal growth (See Picture through various books and the Internet before I came 1, view from above an infected Dares). across a positive identification. The fungus, Beauvaria bassiana, was an insect killer, often called the Icing Sugar Fungus because of the white lumpy growths it produces on the dead insect. Naturally I advised the person keeping the Dares of the situation and it was agreed that the fungus had probably come in on the insects when they were originally collected from Borneo and managed to survive without killing all of the Dares. The Killer Fungus Beauvaria bassiana belongs to the group Clavicipitales, a group of fungi that contain some of the most well known insect parasites such as Cordyceps as well as ergot {Claviceps purpurea), which has historically caused more human deaths than any other organism. It is an indiscriminant fungus and has been most prominent at the joints of the exoskeleton. recorded from a whole range of different groups of insects Initially, I presumed that this was an opportunistic (for example, grasshoppers, cockroaches, cicadas and fungal attack, the spores taking advantage of the butterflies). All stages of the insect's life cycle can be dead insects. When I had three insects left, I infected, including larvae such as caterpillars, and the realized something was definitely not correct and I resulting, distorted corpse of the insect is sometimes had a suspicion that the fungus wasn't just taking termed a 'vegetable insect'. It is also the cause of advantage of the bodies but was a contributing muscardine in silkworms, a catastrophic disease that can factor. If this were the case and I did not remedy the be a serious issue in the silk producing industry. (See situation, I would lose all the insects. Picture 2, view of underside of an affected Dares). In an attempt to eradicate the fungus, the tank housing of the insects was thoroughly cleaned using bleach and hot water, and restored with clean materials (e.g. fresh vermiculite substrate). The theory was, that if the fungus was transmitted via the substrate, I should be able to eradicate it. The three remaining Dares were restored but it wasn't too long before another died, exhibiting the same strange white fungal growths on the exterior of the body, so the fungus must be somewhat more tenacious than I first thought. I disposed of the body and again thoroughly cleaned out the tank; this did the trick. The remaining two insects survived and have since produced a prodigious amount of young. I deduced that the most probable cause of death was the fungus rather than the cultural conditions, and the Lifecycle of Beauvaria bassiana The fungus is found final insect that died must have been already throughout the world and is normally found in plant debris infected when placed into the clean tank. and soil. The spores it produces are extremely resilient This was where the matter rested, or so I thought. and are resistant to extremes of temperature and moisture Early in 2005 I was visiting the collection where and it is these spores by which the fungus able to infect an
September 2005 Website: www.stickinsect.org.uk Newsletter 103.9 insect. When the conditions are suitable, the spore, when it comes into contact with the insect's exoskeleton, germinates and the hyphae (equivalent to the roots of a plant) produce an enzyme that dissolves through exoskeleton and allows it to grow into the insect's body.
Having penetrated the insect's main defence (the exoskeleton), the hyphae then produces further chemicals that reduce the insect's immune system, so that it is able to grow throughout the whole of the body easily. Even once the insect has died, the fungus produces antibiotics to prevent competition with bacteria, so that it has the insect as a food source without competition.
Having completely occupied the internal parts of the insect, Beauvaria requires a humid atmosphere (minimum of 92%) for the next stage of the development. The hyphae grow through the soft parts of the insect's body, such as between the joints of the exoskeleton to produce fruiting bodies, which release spores into the environment. It is these hyphae that emerge from the body of the insect that give the 'icing sugar' effect from where the fungus gets it's name (see picture 3 where the fruiting bodies are growing between the joints of the antennae).
Use of Beauvaria for biological control Because the fungus is a naturally occurring killer of insects and it generally does not infect other organisms e.g. mammals, it can be used safely as a biological control for the larvae of many lepidopteran insects. The most recent and probably the most important breakthrough is the use of this fungus to control the Anopheles mosquito, the carrier of malaria. The fungal spores are mixed in a solution and sprayed in areas where the mosquitoes frequent. Although the mosquito takes a week or two to die, its behaviour changes and it becomes sluggish quickly after infection losing its tendency to bite humans and pass on malaria.
Acknowledgments I must thank Sally Ewen for taking the photographs of the infected insects for me - there is no way I could have taken such superb shots.
References A good website for some basic history is http://www.entomoloqv.wisc.edu/mbcn/kvf410.html This BBC website covers the discovery that Beauvaria may assist in the control of the Anopheles mosquito http://news.bbc.co.Uk/1/hi/health/4074212.stm. What can I say; where would the Newsletter be without our most prolific and regular contributor of high quality articles such as this? Many, many thanks Cameron for your most welcome, continued support of the Newsletter.
CAMERAS & PHOTOGRAPHY by Mike Smith I had intended to write a short article on cameras for taking phasmid photographs. Sadly, I ran out of time, so I'll aim to do one for the December edition. However, perhaps we can all try to put some of our expertise into words for the next Newsletter, and make it a phasmid camera and photo special edition.
You do not need to be an expert, just someone who has taken a picture of a stick insect. Please write in with your experiences, good and bad. It can be just a few words, or a whole article. Ideally with photos, but that is not essential. I'm certainly no expert, but I hoped an article based on the few bits I do know would encourage others to send in their findings and expertise. Not just on the technicalities of apertures, shutter speeds, depth-of-field, macros, etc, but also the advantages and drawbacks of different types of cameras, and recommendations on which cameras are best to use, and how best to use them.
I have an ulterior motive of course. I get many articles with no pictures, and very few pictures for The Colour Page (except via Stick Talk). I was hoping to encourage more photos to be sent in to the Newsletter. See some cracking good sample pictures below (a pair of Giant Spinys, and an Oreophoetes peruana) by "professionals" Paul Brock and Ron Baxter.
September 2005 Website: www.stickinsect.org.uk Newsletter 103.10 Using Invertebrates for the Incubation of Ova by Rob Krijns [PSG 2637] This is the first article I recall receiving from Rob. It is very good as contains some quite interesting, innovative, and hopefully very practical advice. Many thanks for this, Rob. (If anyone else has ideas on the subject, please send them for the next Newsletter).
Who doesn't recognize this problem? However I forgot I lived in the Netherlands, where there You get hold of a new species of ova are relatively more rainy days than sunny days in our from someone you know, or through the small country, so it wasn't the solution. Also, a week after I sprayed the ova, the mould was back again. Internet. Some substrate goes into an airtight container. The ova go on top. You spray them, My next try was to give the ova a long dry period. Mould put the lid on and wait. As the ova are expected needs humidity to survive, so maybe by giving the ova a to hatch in 2 months, you don't take a look at longer time of dryness, this would kill the fungus. After them daily. After a week, you remove the lid and the cocopeat dried up completely, I waited another 2 what do you see? The ova are covered in mould. weeks. It looked like the mould had disappeared This was the reason why I had to find a solution completely. So, after those 2 weeks, I sprayed the ova to the problem again and 3 days later, there was the mould again. Using periods of dryness didn't have the desired effect I began to experiment with different kind of either. substrate. I was told that if I used vermiculite, there would be hardly any mould. From personal Some time ago, when I used to sow plant seeds, I often experience, this didn't work. Despite using used a solution of Superol throat tablets to prevent vermiculite, there was often a cover of mould on mould and this had always worked perfectly. But I didn't the ova. Another problem I had with the know the effect of this on nymphs, so I decided I had vermiculite was that I couldn't see when it better not give it a try. became dry. During this time when I was experimenting, I got a hold After trying some other materials, I ended up with of L1 praying mantis nymphs. The person who gave me cocopeat. This is a comparatively light substrate, the nymphs also gave me a springtail [Collembola] which retains humidity for quite some time. Its culture. These very small insects were the food for the colour becomes lighter when it starts to dry, so it praying mantis nymphs. How to keep them alive? Just is easy to see when to spray the ova again. give them a mushroom once in a while. At first I thought However I still hadn't found a solution for the he was fooling me, but it seemed that these insects mould. were feeding on MOULD.
Removing every mouldy ovum wasn't an option. Unfortunately the mantis nymphs died pretty soon. This Sometimes none were mould free. Cleaning the was just after I had started two other cultures of mouldy ova carefully with a soft towel wasn't a Collembola. At this point, I had a flash of inspiration and success either. It took too much time and too thought: why not add some Collembola to the boxes many ova were damaged in the process. with ova and see what happens?
It was a sunny day and I remembered I had I couldn't find anything on the Internet indicating that learned at school that most fungi could be killed these small insects would do any harm to ova. At least by UV radiation. I took some boxes outside and they only fed on mould, algae and moss. So, I took one put them in full sun, but only for a couple of of the boxes containing ova covered in mould minutes to prevent too high a temperature [photograph number 1] and I took with a small spoon, developing. The boxes were put in the shade for some Collembola and added them to the box with ova. I a while, then back for a few minutes in the sun. put on the lid and waited. This seemed to help. After 2 days the results were already astounding, the P mould had partly disappeared and after 4 days, all the mould had gone.[photograph number 2 - on next page]. H This was very promising! But first I had to wait and see how the ova would hatch. I still wasn't sure if the O Collembolas would damage the ova. T After about a month, the ova started to hatch and as far O as I could see, the nymphs hadn't suffered any damage from the Collembola! Did I find the solution? I started to use it on all incubated ova that had mould on them and up until now I have had only good results with Collembola. September 2005 Website: www.stickinsect.org.uk Newsletter 103.11 How to start a Collembola culture? Actually it's quite simple. I use small plastic boxes with a radius of 10 cm and a height of 5 cm. I add 2cm of cocopeat and a mushroom. I spray it a bit and add some Collembolas. After 2 to 4 weeks, you can already see results. When they have eaten the mushroom, add a new one. I keep the culture at room temperature. You can buy Collembolas from terrarium shops. They are used mostly to feed young poison frogs.
Through this article, I hope to have made a contribution, to the prevention of mould during the incubation of ova. Thanks to Moira Drennan for the help in translating the article into English.
DEFENSIVE BEHAVIOUR OF SIPYLOIDEA SP. By Ingo Fritzsche (PSG990)
Sipyloidea sp. (PSG 103) from Thailand has an unusual and dramatic defensive behaviour, which I observed when changing its food plant in the terrarium my culture is housed in. During the day these stick insects hang from leaves by the tarsi of their forelegs. If disturbed, however, the insects jump (it looks like a jump) backwards and fall to the ground. When on the ground their first and mid legs are held close to their body and project forwards. The hind legs, however, are bent and if the insect is further disturbed it will flick a leg rapidly backwards and downwards, throwing the insect forwards. One of these jumps can measure over 20 cm and sometimes the insect can jump several times in succession, covering a distance of over 1 meter. Thanks to George Beccaloni! Photo Paul Brock Many thanks Ingo for sharing this information with us. Can anyone else report on this, please?
The 25th Anniversary PSG Summer Meeting 9th July 2005 by Mike Smith What a week it was! In particular, bombers attacked the London Transport system 2 days before our meeting, causing death, destruction, and bringing London to a standstill. At one stage we were wondering if our meeting should or could go ahead. A flurry of e-mails among some committee members, and monitoring of the internet, helped us decide. The meeting would go on, in defiance of the bombers, so long as there was transport running to get us there. We advised members of this via a note on our PSG Website, an e-mail to Stick Talk (which Ursula sent out especially for us), and we answered some phone calls and e-mails. Even in hindsight, I think this was the right decision, I hope you agree. September 2005 Website: www.stickinsect.org.uk Newsletter 103.12 I had to get up early to finish off have a say in which option to take, getting all the things ready to and a questionnaire would go out take to the meeting. It was not with the September Newsletter, a good start for me, I woke up covering this and other PSG with a bad sore throat and aspects. (Requests for input from head cold, so had to get dosed members is often very poorly up with some powerful flu supported; if you want a say in the medicine and throat lozenges. future of the PSG - please complete and return the Tony showing some early PSG photos The journey to the meeting questionnaire). Tony explained how in 1978 there went like clockwork, all my were about 10 people swapping train connections were okay; Then we discussed suggestions sticks and asking stick questions. So though there were less people received that the competition eventually, in 1980, the PSG was around than normal. I believe should have more categories. In born; 10 members in year one, 45 in most members had a "normal" discussion, we thought it would be year 2, 93 year 4, etc. journey, but a few did have to a bit too complicated, and may detour around station closures lose rather than gain entries, so we The only books were Stick & Leaf and/or walk a fair way. decided on the status quo for the Insects by J T Clark, and an AES time being. booklet Keeping Stick Insects by W J I arrived at the museum just B Crotch, updated by Paul Brock in after 10am, only Judith and Next we discussed having species 1985. Early meetings were mainly at Paul Brock were there before cards. We were not sure about the Midlands Entomological Fair me. The museum security this, and Cameron was to bring a people were searching sample to the next meeting for Tony showed lots of excellent, early everyone's bags before letting further discussion. photos of the PSG, some members in them in - bet they had some the photos are still members now. We then covered Role Profiles, ie surprises seeing all those each committee member would Tony then went onto our PSG "Bible", sticks! have a written sort of job the Culture List. He said the first It was the first time I'd been in description - strangely there is little provisional list was made in 1982 but the "old" meeting room since it written down anywhere saying never issued. It was re-written into had been refurbished. It what is expected of each role, and chronological order, and first issued looked really good, and had far this has caused some confusion. in 1983. He said the Culture List was better facilities than the not a list just of sticks in culture, but a temporary room we had been round-up of all the sticks ever using. recorded. Very quickly, members started I was then spellbound when Tony arriving, so we set up the gave us sight of his new database merchandise sales table, the which will summarise virtually raffle prize table, the everything known on every stick. He competition table, the gave a demonstration of the refreshments, etc. And almost proposed different parts of the before we realised, it was database and it was very impressive. Members start arriving. 11.30 and time for our At the end of Tony's really interesting Finally, Phil said he would be committee meeting. talk, I made a headcount of how stepping down from being PSG many members were there. I Secretary, so he could counted 45, which was about normal concentrate on editing Phasmid for a Summer PSG Meeting (though Studies. We agreed to seek we might have expected a tad more volunteers for the post (if you are as it was a 25th Anniversary, but interested in taking on the doubtless the bombs and train Secretary role, please contact disruptions had kept some members our Chairman Judith). away).
A quick time check showed we Anyway, it was lunchtime now, and The raffle prizes. had to rush back so Tony James Judith had kindly provided soft drinks, The committee had a full could do his talk on the PSG and some excellent white wine and cake, agenda. Firstly we discussed the Culture List. I thought it Ian Abercrombie provided the red Phasmid Studies. It was awesome that the founder of the wine, and Susan Hendy provided costly and difficult to print in PSG should be there on its 25th some tea cakes with stick insect its present form, and various anniversary to talk about this. shapes iced on. (Other members options were considered. We (Many thanks, Tony). may have provided other things, sorry decided to let our members if I've missed you out). September 2005 Website: www.stickinsect.org.uk Newsletter 103.13 information on what each part did for the Phasmid. He was very enthusiastic, and it was good fun.
Next, the raffle. Sarah, Natalie (and Catherine?) had sold 100 sets of tickets. There were some excellent prizes, all donated by committee and others members. I had my eye on a beautifully dried and framed stick specimen Markey preparing the livestock table. Susan's cakes (Photo Mike Strick) on the prize table, it was there This was run by Janine and This was in addition to the usual tea, almost till the end, but my number Markey, who not only did an coffee, squash, and biscuits Judith never came up. excellent job, but used a totally lays on. As you can imagine, there new method (which I believe Then the competition results. was lots for everyone and a very Mark saw being used to good Kindly judged by (I think) Pat good time was had by all. effect at the Phasma meeting). James, Mary Saltan, Francis Seow-Choen, Allan Harman and Everyone stayed in their seats, Cameron. Cameron will do an and raised a hand if they were article on the competition, but the interested in whatever was being winners were: LIVESTOCK Adult offered, and then the box of sticks
1st Stephen Lee Thomas, 2nd was taken to them. All very
Robert Bradburn, Junior 1st Chris civilised, and I thought it was a
Pull, 2nd Huw Purssell. great success. Well done to both.
PHOTO/DRAWING: Junior 1st I got some excellent stock, but my Jaques ?, 2nd Angus Dymoke, favourites were a pair of massive, Adult 1st- ME!!!, 2nd (erm, I was zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBAadult Eurycantha. What a cake! (Judith ran out of time to the only entry). For my prize, I swap the butterflies for phasmids as chose some Jungle Nymph We had the usual problem of planned, re bomb disruption). nymphs off the exchange table. more spare species than people had space in their bags for. (This was the last competition where livestock is an option as a prize, for It did seem a shame, that various reasons, but there will still be members had gone to the trouble great prizes at future competitions) of putting together some of their spare stock, nicely packaged and labelled, and brought it all the way to London to give away. Then apparently no-one wants it. My personal suggestion is two-fold. Firstly, could all donors put their Straight after lunch was sticks in small packs (eg cricket Cameron's talk on How to Build a containers). Sticks are often put into Phasmid. Cameron had an enormous containers, and once excellent slide show, backed up you've had a couple of those there is by colourful handouts, and we all little room for any more in your bag. enthusiastically put together a The other idea is that more sticks are Phasmid from its constituent parts put into each box so there are less to hand out. Often there are so many (skin, head, thorax, abdomen, boxes Janine will hand boxes out in legs, etc), with Cameron seeking twos or threes. On the fewer answers from us, and giving occasions when there are more Excellent pictures in the competition. hands up than packs available, the At some stage around now pack can be split up. should have been the Question & Natalie has pointed out that, in some Answer Expert Panel. But we cases, some sticks had been were running a bit late, mainly crammed into too small a container. because everyone wanted to speak to everyone, and there just I guess the answer generally is for was not enough time to do so. more sticks in smaller containers, but not to over crowd them. Shame, as it has been quite popular. Finally, there was the What do you think on the matter, Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones.. ever-popular Livestock Exchange. please write in to the Newsletter.
September 2005 Website: www.stickinsect.org.uk Newsletter 103.14 THE FIRST EVER PSG PRIZE DRAW by Cameron Die Konigin For the first time ever the PSG ran a prize draw for its members at this summer's meeting. The purpose, as well as providing a new event to the meeting, was to cover the cost of the cake and wine that were available to members in celebration of the PSG's 25-year anniversary. It was hoped that about £30 would be raised and if there was any remaining money after the refreshment costs were recuperated, this would then be donated to the PSG funds (but see footnote - Editor).
The stars of the event were Sarah Houghton and Natalie Ford who sold the tickets all morning. The cost of the tickets was £1 for a strip of five, whilst So successful was it, not only in raising so much money but all the prizes, (kindly donated by PSG members), in being a popular event, that several members have asked were on display at the front of the room for all to for it to be a regular feature at future PSG meetings. This see. There was a huge selection of prizes suggestion will be raised at the next PSG meeting to see available, including: how this can be taken forward.
Insect cages Special thanks are due to the superb ticket sellers for Various plants (Eucalyptus, ferns etc) ensuring that so many tickets were sold and also to those Phasmid artwork wonderful members who donated such a diverse range of Phasmid photographs super prizes, those generous members were: Mobile phone/SIM card Mini food hamper Kristien Rabaey and Rob Simoens Wine Mike Smith Live insects Paul Brock ^'92783 Free membership certificates Sarah Houghton The Phasmida Species File on CD Mike Strick Dried framed insects Ian and Mark Bushell Sally Ewen The ticket selling continued until after the day's Janine Fletcher 1*4 second talk, when the last of the tickets was Curtis Lakin 7g3 finally sold. The winning tickets were then pulled Cameron Die Konigin from the box and gradually the prizes were taken. It soon became apparent that some members Thank you all for making it such a success. had come prepared, with lots of money, and had purchased a large quantity of tickets to be in with getting some of the top prizes. Many thanks Cameron for this excellent report, and in particular for all your hard work in organising this new event - which was on top of your arranging the competition and your talk. I'm sure the members appreciated it all. Where would we be without you? I did not win a sausage in the raffle! But I enjoyed it just the same. There were indeed some fantastic prizes kindly donated by members, and the number of tickets sold showed how much others enjoyed it too. Many members have mentioned to me that they would like the raffle to become a regular feature of PSG Meetings. As Cameron says, the committee can look into this. For the record, the white wine was donated by Judith, the red wine by Ian, some cakes by Judith and some by Susan, and so the raffle money was able to go towards other PSG Meeting expenses, rather than the food and refreshments, as was the original intention. Editor.
September 2005 Website: www.stickinsect.org.uk Newsletter 103.15 Epidares nolimetangere zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA(de Haan, 1842) PSG 99 By Christopher Pull PSG 2680
Introduction Upon reading Cameron D Another reason I thought as to why they may be covered K's article in the June 2005 PSG in hairs is, due to the small size of the species, it may be Newsletter, I thought I'd take up the difficult for the females to distribute the ova far enough to challenge of writing a species report. prevent in breeding. But if dropped to the ground, then the eggs my be picked up by a larger animal and Although I believe a species report has already transported to another area because the hairs on the egg been written onzyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA Epidares nolimetangere, and there would latch on to the animal's fur etc. much like the is an article published on the PSG website, I still annoying 'sticky' seeds that stick to your clothes when feel this little insect is underestimated in its beauty, you walk though long grass! odd shape, and clumsy character! People will ignore Epidares when they turn up at a PSG meeting, which I think is a terrible shame, as I simply love this species! This article gives you a full description of the species, and tells you how I keep and breed my Epidares nolimetangere.
Hatchlinq Nymphs The hatchlings of this species look very similar to that of Aretaon asperrimus, except they are considerable smaller measuring approx. 1.3-1.5cm. They are a slightly glossy black, with a tint of yellow/green on the legs and head. They also have a noticeable line that travels down the back of the insect. There are small 'stumps' on the thorax, which are the Classification Epidares nolimetangere is in the beginnings of the adult spines. When disturbed they will sub family Dataminae. This also includes Dares run around very quickly and often curl their abdomen spp. such as Dares validispinus, and other over themselves. I have had no problems in getting species like Pylaemenes borneenis and Orestes them to eat; most will start after a couple of days or so. mouhotii. I do believe that Epidares was earlier called Dares nolimetangere. Also, all species in the subfamily Dataminae were in the sub family Heteropteryginae.
Distribution This species was first collected from Sarawak, but can be found all over Borneo in places such as Sabah.
Description The ovum of this species could well be the most distinctive part of this phasmid. Measuring approximately 4mm in length, and being a muddy almost maroon brown; the entire egg is then covered in a fine layer of orange hairs! Making the ova look a lot like a miniature coconut. Even when buried the hairs are not Moulted Nymphs After the first skin shed, the nymphs flattened. No one knows for sure why the eggs develop a greater colouration than the hatchlings. For the have these hairs. It has been reported that the first couple of instars they may display small patches of females will dig a hole, and then flick the egg greens, yellows, reds, and mottled browns, the spines are from the end of the abdomen, where it catches quite small at this stage. However, as they get older the on the antennae (using the hairs,) then the adult patterns become more noticeable and the spines female rubs off the egg into the hole she dug. become more apparent. At this stage you should be able to However I have not observed this behaviour sex the nymphs. The males will have much larger spines, personally. September 2005 Website: wv v.stickinsect.org.uk Newsletter 103.16 thorax to the end of the tank (the high humidity means they do abdomen. There are various not require being placed in a water jar). black markings all over the I have had no difficulties in keeping the body. Again the legs are species like this, and it means they do spindly, and the antennae of not need to be sprayed every evening, both sexes exceed the length of perhaps only once a week. I have also the front legs. Also, the eyes in kept Epidares, and still do sometimes, both sexes are black and very in large sweet jars, using the basic brighter colouration (they appear prominent on the sides of the 'rules' as above. I would recommend a to get more beautiful after each head, looking like they could fall cage/tank with a minimum height of moult,), and will be quite skinny off if accidentally knocked! 9cm, the dimension for my tank are as compared to the females. In follows: height: 20cm, length 32cm, total contrast, the female Adult Male The behaviour of width 21cm. I have observed that this nymphs will be much more both sexes remains largely the species will spend as much time on the plump, the spines will be fewer same as the older nymphs, bottom of the tank as above the and shorter, and they will be however the females slow down ground, if not more. Meaning floor quite dark in colouration; an slightly. They have never shown space in the tank/cage is just as almost purple brown with a dark any signs of aggression towards important as height. Also, they like to cream line running down the me. When picked up they will try hide from light, so do not place the insects thorax to the middle of to cling to the plant they are on, tank in a bright spot, and it would be the abdomen. The female will but when lifted they will extend nice to provide a small piece of also curl the end of her all six legs and remain sterilized bark for them to hide behind abdomen over her back. At no motionless. After being placed in (an empty cardboard tube will do just stage during either of the sex's the hand they will walk around as well). I keep my Epidares at room life do the legs support any quite happily, feeling their way temperature without any problems, and spines or other appendages. with the antennae. They also a humid atmosphere is needed. have a tendency to 'play-dead' Although if too humid losses may or catalepsy, for several result, I recommend a humidity of 70- minutes. The females take 75%. around a year to mature, and live for a further two years. The Food Plants Bramble, (Rubus males may take slightly less fruticosus,) Oak, (Quercus spp.) time to mature, and also do not Beech, (Fagus sylvatica,) Silver birch, live as long as the female. (Betula pendula,) Hazel, (Corylus avellana,) Pyracantha, (Pyracantha Adults Females are small, coccinea,) and Rose, (Rosa spp.) Mine squat insects, which are quite have fed on all of the above except plump when laden with eggs. Pyracantha, which I have never tried Measuring approx. 4.4cm. They however it is mentioned on the PSG cu o uouciiiy ci \_JCU r\I diiU u ic; culture list. line that runs along the back of the insect, (mentioned earlier Breeding Breeding these insects is under nymphs), will now have not difficult. You may witness the more or less disappeared. adults mating, but unlike some species they do not seem to pair for long. As However you may still see a far as I know, males are required for very faint trace of it behind the the females to produce ova, and I have head. They support several Rearing - Accommodation I not read of any cases of this species small spines, with the two keep myzyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA Epidares in a small reproducing without a male. Due to the largest being behind the head. plastic 'pet-home' with a fact that the insect's ova is very well The legs however look very ventilated lid. However I wrap the hidden among the peat, I do not know brittle and unable to support the lid in a plastic bag, and place a exactly how long it takes for females to weight of the insect, but of sheet of black nylon netting in produce ova from their final moult. course they do. between the tank and the lid. The About one egg is produced a week, purpose being that the plastic bag and about 100 eggs are produced in The males are skinny in keeps up the necessary humidity, total. Ova seem to be buried or comparison to the female, and and the netting gives the insects dropped to the ground, depending on their spikes are very large something to hang from when the individual and the environment considering the size of their shedding. On the bottom I have kept in, (females kept without peat will body. The spines are bright red, about an inch of peat for the simply drop their eggs to the floor.) and the body a metallic orange females to deposit their eggs, and Personally, I will always remove ova with a red strip running from the food plants are just placed in the from the cage the adults are kept in, no September 2005 Website: www.stickinsect.org.uk Newsletter 103.17 matter what the species. I find if I leave the ova in the cage there are more problems.
Besides this I have had no problems as of yet. When I collect ova from myzyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA Epidares, 1 place them in a small Tupper-ware container on a layer of peat. I did not re-bury them at first, however I accidentally dropped the container once and most of the ova got buried. I have had no problems though with the nymphs digging out, after all the females buried the eggs in the first place. I spray the ova about once a week, or whenever the peat looks slightly dry (it should be moist all the time). I keep all my ova in a cupboard where the temperature is slightly more than the current room temperature, as it is heated by my Chameleon cage that is placed on top. I would suggest that the ova should be kept warm, perhaps in an airing cupboard?
Problems The only problem I have had is keeping the nymphs in humid conditions. Besides this I have had no problems as of yet.
Similar Species Many other similar species can be kept using the above conditions for Epidares nolimetangere. I keep, Dares spp, Orestes mouhotii, Aretaon asperrimus and Sungaya inexpectata in the same way, except the Sungaya and Aretaon need a larger cage/tank. Also, I keep hatchling Phyllium celebicum and Phyllium siccifolium in the same conditions until they outgrow the small cage; they are then moved to a larger one following the same principles as before.
Endnote I am aware that there is a green coloured morph of male Epidares nolimetangere, and I would really like to get my hands on some of these! If you have the green colour morph in your culture, and might be able to supply me with some (I will of course pay for the postage cost), then contact me (details at the end of this article), thanks!
References
Brock, P D. (2000) A Complete Guide to Breeding Stick and Leaf Insects. TFH kingdom
Useful Websites www.microcosmos.org.uk -Sally Ewen's well known phasmid website, look at the Epidares nolimetangere section. www.phasmania.co.uk - Adam Conway's useful site, again seek the Epidares section.
Acknowledgments A special thanks to Cameron Die Konigin and Rachael Marriott, for supplying me with my first Epidares nolimetangere and lots of detail on how to keep them. Thanks also to the Sticktalk list (www.smallofficesolutions.orq.uk/sticklist/sticktalk.htm) for all the many Epidares related contributions that have helped me piece together this article.
Contact If you have any comments on this article or may be able to supply me with some green Epidares, then feel free to email or write to me: Chris Pull, 74 Oakfield Rd, Blackwater, Camberlev. Surrev. GU17 9DZ. E-mail: GIANT [email protected].
This is a most excellent species report, Chris. I hope you can become a regular contributor to the Newsletter. Well done!
THE CARTOON. Rev Joy is busy at the best of times, but as she has been unwell recently, she was unable to give us our usual Rev Joy Cartoon. I know Joy's cartoons are very popular, so I was given permission to include a Rev Joy - type cartoon on her behalf. Hope you like it.
Some may recognise the picture as my contribution to the Photo Competition at the PSG's Summer Meeting. I did not intend it to be a cartoon - but the picture just cried out for the word "Mummy" to be added. I thought I had no chance of winning, I just put it in to lighten up the competition. Readers will be as surprised as I was that I scooped First Prize with it. If I can win, anyone can, so make sure you put an entry into the next competition at the Winter Meeting in January 2006 (be warned, I plan to compete tool).
September 2005 Website: www.stickinsect.org.uk Newsletter 103.18 PSG COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THE PSG NEWSLETTER TREASURER/MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY Paul Brock To receive membership applications and renewals, and keep track of PSG finances. "Papillon", 40 Thorndike Road, Slough, Berks. SL2 1SR. Please send any contributions to the (Tel: 01753 579447 Phone after 5pm) E-mail: [email protected]. Editor anytime (but by 1st November
CHAIRMAN Judith Marshall for a place in the December 2005 To arrange meetings within the NHM, Dept. of Entomology, The Natural History Museum, PSG Newsletter, 15th October to zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD. (Tel: 020 7942 5610; Fax 020 7942 5229) E-mail: chairman @ stickinsect.org.uk. guarantee a place) :- Mike Smith, 13 Runnacles Street, PSG NEWSLETTER EDITOR Mike Smith Silver End, Witham, Essex, To edit general articles for the PSG Newsletter. 13 Runnacles Street, Silver End, Witham, Essex, CM8 3QN. CM8 3QN, England, UK. (Tel: 01376 584388). E-mail [email protected]. Tel: 01376 584388.
SECRETARY/PHASMID STUDIES EDITOR Phil Bragg E-mail: [email protected] To produce agendas and minutes for PSG meetings, and edit the more technical/scientific (Max 2MB per e-mail, please). articles, for Phasmid Studies. I find MS Word as an E-mail 8 The Lane, Awsworth, Nottinghamshire, NG16 2QP. (Tel: 0115 9305010). E-mail: Currently not available on e-mail attachment, or on floppy disk or CD, easiest to cope with. I also prefer that EXHIBITION & MEETINGS OFFICER Paul Jennings (assisted by Paul Taylor) To assist the PSG in having a presence at relevant exhibitions and meetings. any pictures to be sent inserted into 89 Brackensdale Avenue, Derby, DE22 4AF. Tel: 01332 343477. an MS Word document. I can
LIVESTOCK COORDINATOR Janine Fletcher however deal with a wide range of To coordinate between those with surplus livestock and those wanting species. other formats - including handwritten 125 Malvern Drive, North Common, Warmley, Bristol, BS30 8UY. Tel: 01179 604917, E-mail: livestock @ stickinsect.org.uk. (but handwritten articles may be delayed as it takes me much longer to LIBRARIAN David Robinson process them). Please do not send To keep all relevant information for general reference. me e-mails over 2 megabytes. COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Instead break it up into separate e-
Paul Taylor (PSG Website Master) E-mail [email protected] mails, or send by post on a disk. Kim D'Hulster I Kristien Rabaey (European representatives) (Unless the contributor specifically Cameron Die Konigin (PSG Competition Organiser) Ian Abercrombie requests otherwise): All contributions Non-committee Member James Waddicor (Holder & seller of PSG merchandise) to the Newsletter will be deemed to be 3 Squires Copse, Peatmoor, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN5 5HB. Tel 01793 877617. submitted for use in the PSG Website (and vice versa), the Belgian-Dutch NOTICE It is to be directly understood that all views, opinions or Phasma for translation, the German theories, expressed in the pages of "The Newsletter", are those of Arthropoda for translation, and Lukasz the author(s) concerned. All announcements of meetings, Czok's Polish website for translation requests for help or information, are accepted as bona fide. (www.phasmids.prv.pl). Neither the Editor, nor Officers of "The Phasmid Study Group", The editor may make minor changes can be held responsible for any loss, embarrassment or injury that to contributions where deemed might be sustained by reliance thereon. necessary.
WANTS & EXCHANGES Do not forget that your spare ova (eggs) should be sent to our Livestock Co-ordinator, Jan Fletcher (requests always outweigh offers - please try to offer wanted livestock). Also, any requests for ova, etc may go to Jan too.
125 Malvern Drive, North Common, Warmley, Bristol, BS30 8UY. Tel: 01179 604917, e-mail:[email protected].
Janine advises that she has a surplus of the following ova (eggs) PSG Nos: 1, 9, 14,15, 19, 23, 31, 52, 66, 101,118, 120, 145, 162, 173, 174, 181, 182, 183, 195, 202, 208, 214, 215, 221, 224, 227, 230, 237, 240, 246, 252, 253, 255, Diapherodes gigantea, Bacteria sp (Tortola), Calynda sp. (new one), Bostra lobata, Baculum sp. (Laos) & Lopaphus sp. (Laos). Surplus nymphs PSG Nos 38, 84, 118,183, 195, 221 & Trachyaretaon brueckneri. (If you want any of these, please contact Janine).
The following ova were wanted by members (if you can spare any of these, please send them to Janine): PSG Nos: 2, 10, 13, 14, 18, 19,20, 21, 25, 26, 29, 31, 35,59, 60, 69, 70, 72, 76, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 110, 111, 112, 117, 125, 126, 127,128, 154, 177, 186, 190, 193, 199, 247, & 258.
JAN ALSO ADVISES THAT MEMBERS SHOULD NOT SEND HER NYMPHS WITHOUT FIRST CONTACTING HER. SO APPROPRIATE ARRANGEMENTS CAN BE MADE FOR THEIR ARRIVAL. OVA, HOWEVER. MAY NORMALLY BE SENT ANYTIME.
(Do not send Jan anything during the first 2 weeks of October, please, due to work commitments).
September 2005 Website: www.stickinsect.org.uk Newsletter 103.19 Membership Application 2005 (and 2006)
If you know of anyone interested in joining the PSG, please give them a copy of this page.
Since its formation early in 1980, The Meetings - are held twice a year, usually Membership Application Form Phasmid Study Group has expanded to at The Natural History Museum, London. more than 350 members in 30 countries, Here members can talk with fellow enthu- The subscription for the year 2005 is £9.00 (UK); including people of all ages and ranging siasts and give and receive livestock. £11.00 (Europe); £12.00 (Overseas). from beginners to professional entomol- Please make your remittance payable to The The Group also provided displays at sev- Phasmid Study Group and send to the Member- ogists. The purpose of the Group is to eral entomological exhibitions. ship Secretary. encourage studies of all aspects of Phasmids (stick and leaf insects). Since New members - will receive Newsletters Full Name: phasmids have received little attention and Phasmid Studies issued in that year. Address: until recently, there is scope for anyone To ease administration, membership in- to provide further information. formation is stored on computer and sub- ject to the restriction of the Data Newsletter - is issued quarterly and con- Protection Act. tains new items, livestock information, Postcode: Country: details of exhibitions and meetings, and Membership Secretary Home Telephone Number: a variety of short articles on all aspects Paul Brock. "Papillion", 40 Thorndike Road, of phasmids. Slough, SL2 1SR, UK, Species kept: Tel: 01753 579447 Phasmid Studies - is issued biannually. E-mail: [email protected] It contains longer articles on all aspects of phasmids with emphasis on natural Particular interest in phasmids: history, captive breeding and behav- ioural studies. Abstracts and occasion- ally reprints from other publications may also be included. Where did you hear about the Group:
Livestock distribution - There are now many species being kept by members, Unfortunately Eurocheques cannot be accepted. Payment should be made by one of the following methods: and new ones are continually added - 1) Sterling cheque drawn on a UK bank for £9.00 (UK) many of the Group's species are not £11.00 (Europe); CtJOO (Overseas). UK members can set up an annual standing order - contact the available commercially. The Livestock Membership Secretary for further details. Co-ordinator helps to distribute surplus 2) If you wish you can send bank notes in your own currency stock to members who want them. to the value equivalent to £9.00 (Europe) or £10.00 Members are not permitted to sell any (Overseas), but please add £3.00 to cover exchange costs. There is aiso a small risk that bank notes may be lost in the livestock they obtain through the Group. post, so if you do wish to pay by Ihese means you are advised to use registered post or equivalent. Sending bank notes through the post is done at your own Lord Howe Island Stick Insect zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBArisk! Dryococetus austraSs Payment can also be made on the website using Paypal www.stlcklnsect.org.uk Please send your name address, telephone No, and subscription* to:
Paul Brock. Membership Secretary & Treasurer, PSG, "Papillon", 40 Thorndike Road, Slough, Berks. SL2 1SR. (Tel: 01753 579447).
United Kingdom £9.00 Europe £11.00 Overseas £12.00 (Ignore typo mistakes in last paras above net overseas membership is indeed £12)
'Payments can be made by Cheque, Postal Order, International Postal Giro, or a cheque in £ sterling drawn against a London Bank. Cheques, etc, should be made payable to "The Phasmid Study Group".
Cash may be sent in your own currency, but remember to add £3 for exchange rate variations. There is a danger that bank notes will get lost in the post so, if you must send bank notes, this is entirely at your own risk. It is recommended that if you must send cash then do it by registered post.
Payment can also be made on our website using Paypal (www.stickinsect.orq.uk). [But not available in all countries].
MEMBERSHIP OF THE PHASMID STUDY GROUP ALSO GIVES ACCESS TO THE "MEMBERS ONLY' SECTION OF THE PSG WEBSITE.
September 2005 Website: www.stickinsect.org.uk Newsletter 103.20