Tuesday, October 26, 2010

TISAMENUS DEPLANATA

Pocdol Mountains > Sorsogon > Bicol Province > South Luzon
Very nice small Obrimini, again like all species from this genus, looking like a "relique" from prehistoric times !! The hatchling especially not looking at all like a phasmid, even thought first it was some kind of dirty "bug" :) Like all other species from this genus, it feeds on Guava but accepts also sometimes some mango leaves.















RHAMPHOSIPYLOIDEA BERENICE

Pocdol Mountains > Sorsogon > Bicol Province > South Luzon
Another beautiful Rhamphosipyloidea after the one from Infanta/Quezon province, posted a few weeks ago. This one also feeding without problem on Guava. Found only 1 single female, she was a subadult then (1st and 2nd pics), so she did not mate, male was'nt found so far........however there is an absolute chance eggs will hatch parthenogenetically :))





















Monday, October 11, 2010

Pictures of Sites # 13

Mount Pulog > Pocdol Mountains > Sorsogon > Bicol province > South Luzon
This is farthest south province of Luzon Island, southern of Sorsogon is the Island of Samar. Located 600km south of Manila the Pocdol Mountains are a succession of volcanic pics very close to each other and Mount Pulog is the highest pic with 1100masl. Unfortunately lots of human activities going on till the 2/3rd of the mountain, only the last 400m or so to the summit are left untouched. That part is a beautiful forest very thick, no big trees but a large mix of short trees, bushes and climbers. Summit is a small place, 50sq meters or so with short trees and bushes, cool air and high humidity even at day time.
Looking to phasmids that mountain can be considered as a "paradise" just like Mount Palakong in Quezon province or QNP. We found many species, at least 3 Obrimini, 2 species of Ophicranias, Necrosciinae species, Periphetes, Asceles, countless Mithrenes and Rhamphosipyloideas and more.....! Hopefully that remaining part of the mountain will remain untouched for many years still, as we will be back over there again and again to enjoy the cool breeze and the collecting "adrenaline rush" :))