PhasmaPhils

Season Greetings

2011-12-22T04:31:00.000-08:00

BRASIDAS SP. Rapu Rapu

2011-12-22T04:04:00.000-08:00

Rapu Rapu Island > Albay province > Bicol > South Luzon
The very latest Obrimini I found about 2 months ago on a very tiny island lost in the Pacific ocean. A large species, even larger than the previous featured Brasidas lacerta? and probably the largest Obrimini known to science so far :))
Some difficulties to find a suitable foodplant, they eat Guava but only as last resort and never in large quantity as they should, very little of Mango and some Aracea (but only the stems and not the leaves strangely enough). That problem resulted in the premature death of 3 of the 4 pairs I collected :( Fortunately the last pair is still alive and feed on a guava/Aracea mix and I was able to collect a large number of eggs already. Hopefully the hatchlings will accept guava better than their parents and establish themselves on that foodplant. No hurry thought.....Brasidas eggs are due to hatch only after a 7-8 months incubation..........

Other Non-Filipino species I breed/have breed #16

2011-12-22T02:21:00.000-08:00

PHYLLIUM JACOBSONI > Java Island > Indonesia
Nice small leaf-insect i'm breeding for about a year and a half. Quite easy and good loocking species I recommend to everyone. Here it feeds without problems on Guava.
Thanks to Oskar and Alain.

Viewers are now in the 5 digits :))

2011-08-08T01:37:00.000-07:00

EOBRIMUS LACERTA?

2011-06-22T19:12:00.000-07:00

Mount Pulog > Sorsogon > South Luzon
So far the largest Obrimini I found with 110-120mm for the female and pretty heavy too.......
Beautiful species feeding here on mango mainly, but they too accept some guava.
May be because of their large size also, the eggs incubation is also the longest of all Obriminis so far with 7 months.

Other Non-Filipino species I breed/have breed #15

2011-04-25T19:32:00.001-07:00

ACHRIOPTERA FALLAX > Madagascar Island
What can I say about this species......the look, the colors.....everything is just awesome !! Attempted twice to breed it, unsuccessfully ! This time I was able to make it, but just, 3 males and a single female.
They mainly feed on Guava but accept from time to time some mango as well, just a light water spraying once a day, they apparently like some heat and dry surroundings.
Can't wait to (try) breed other Achrioptera species :))
[Thanks Bruno]

Other Non-Filipino species I breed/have breed #14

2011-04-25T19:16:00.000-07:00

CRANIDIUM GIBBOSUM >FRENCH GUYANA
A one of a kind species, not really a "stick" insect and not a "leaf" insect......more like a combination of the two !! A difficult species to breed with high mortality among the hatchlings, L1 and L2, apparently after those stages the species settles down and is easier to breed. Here in tropical country they accepted to feed mostly on Mango (Magifera) but they do accept from time to time some guava and some schefflera.[Thanks Bruno]

TRACHYARETAON SP "AURORA"

2011-02-20T19:13:00.000-08:00

Ditumabo falls / Cunayan falls > Aurora province > North-East Luzon
The first species of that genus I post to my blog, more coming up in a few weeks or so :))
Beautiful and quite large Obrimini, especially the female, she is strong build with strong cloth grip.
Breeding is very easy going and quite fast growing, here they feed nicely on Mango. [Thanks Rob and Joachim]

OPHICRANIA SP "NEGROS"

2011-02-16T05:15:00.001-08:00

Negros island > Visayas > Central Philippines
Another beautiful species from this genus, the 3rd posted here. This one feeding on various palms > I successfully breed them using 2 very common palm species - Areca, which can be given directly to them, leave very thin and easy to bite, however using only the softest new ones for hatchlings and L1-L2 - Adonidia, leaves harder shall be used for later stages L3 and up and always cut the very hard leaves edges with a sharp scisor.
Species is producing a very small number of eggs but seems to have a longer life span.
[Thanks Bruno]

UPDATE # 9

2011-02-09T18:49:00.000-08:00

An additional serie of pictures of this wonderfull species >>>> Ophicrania palinurus.
# Hatchling
# subadult male
# adult male

OBRIMUS SP. BICOLANUS??

2011-01-22T06:01:00.000-08:00

Pocdol mountains > Sorsogon > Bicol province > South-East Luzon
An out of the ordinary to say the least to start this year 2011 :))
This genus (Obrimus) has never, as never, ever been breed before.....and adult male and females are featured here for the first time.
Found that beautiful species last year in September and October in several locations in the Pocdol mountains, including Mt Pulog.
Have currently a second generation breeding ongoing, it is feeding here on both guava and mango leaves very nicely. have 3 females forms featured here, the darker ones nearly black, the clear brown one and the white banded one >> very similar to the sungaya inexpectata female variations...........

End of the year >>> again !

2010-12-24T00:07:00.000-08:00

NECROSCIINAE SP "Pulog"

2010-11-21T04:45:00.000-08:00

Mount Pulog > Pocdol mountains > Sorsogon > Bicol province > South-East Luzon
A second species from that beautiful genus from the same mountain chain. This one way darker than the previous one......dark green with dark red wings and markings, black legs joints. Same very active species, males especially.......same foodplant as well.

PHARNACIA SP "Pocdol"

2010-11-15T19:08:00.000-08:00

Pocdol Mountains > Sorsogon > Bicol province > South-East Luzon
The 3rd species of that genus i'm featuring here, after sp "Real" and sp ponderosa. This one very similar to sp "Real". Huge sized females, 200 to 220mm body length, they vary in colors from the featured brown ones to some more orange ones and green ones too. Feeding easily here on Mango (Mangifera indica).

NECROSCIINAE SP "Pocdol"

2010-11-15T18:20:00.000-08:00

Pocdol Mountains > Sorsogon >Bicol province > South-East Luzon
A beautiful species from the Central Pocdol Mountains, laying "flat eggs".
That species feeds nicely here on "indian tree" (common name), Polyalthia longifolia (annonaceae).
When disturbed or touched it releases a strong citrus like smell, both sexes very active, males especially can fly fast and can be a challenge when cleaning the breeding cage.

TISAMENUS DEPLANATA

2010-10-26T05:52:00.001-07:00

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

2010-10-26T05:40:00.001-07:00

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 :))

Pictures of Sites # 13

2010-10-11T05:41:00.000-07:00

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" :))

Update # 8

2010-09-21T19:43:00.000-07:00

1 - Another change of name :
Ophicrania vittipennis is now > Ophicrania palinurus
(was described earlier as sp palinurus from a female). Thanks Joachim.
2 - Pics of my first hatchlings of Ophicrania sp "Negros" (red)
3 - Pics of my L3 nymph of Ophicrania viridinervis (blue)

RHAMPHOSIPYLOIDEA SP "Infanta"

2010-09-21T19:20:00.000-07:00

Marinfanta Road Km95 > Infanta > Quezon Province > East Luzon

Beautiful species I found a few weeks ago and when it was ID as a Rhamphosipyloidea I just said to myself, wow not just any Rhamphosipyloidea this one !!! This is my 3rd beautiful Rhamphosipyloidea species after those from "Ilanin" and "Tapulao". This one looking like a Necrosia species is every aspect, even the egg laying is the same way as a Necrosia > hammering eggs in a soft support > in my breeding cage, thick folded kitchen towels paper. However the difference is the foodplant as this one, unlike Necrosias, feeds on Guava ! Not a prolific egg producer as the other Rhamphosipyloideas, that species like a wet and high humid environement. For the record we also found a few males on Mount Palakong/Real with Joachim 2 years ago

Update # 7

2010-08-27T22:36:00.000-07:00

1 - First, a species change of name :

Eubulides igorrote is now >>>>>>> Eubulides alutaceus

igorrote beeing only a synonym of the initial description

Thanks Joachim.

2 - A couple of pics of my first just hatched Lonchodiodes sp "Bicol"

Nice and cute with her red legs, black head and white antenna tips :)

MNESILOCHUS SP "Pocdol"

2010-08-27T22:25:00.000-07:00

Pocdol Mountains > Sorsogon > Bicol Province > South-East Luzon

Another Mnesilochus species, my 6th I think :), large, female colored from grey to almost black with nice orange/white spotted legs. This one pretty close to the one from QNP. Like all species from this genus they feed here in Manila on African Tulip tree

LONCHODES DALAWANGSUNGAY

2010-08-13T11:30:00.000-07:00

Marinfanta Road Km95 > Quezon Province > East Luzon
Beautiful and uncommon species, very interesting because the male and eggs style look very much like a Periphetes and the female much like an Eucarcharus.........Males are nicely colored with a bright orange body and green abdomen while legs are of a dark blue/green color very striking. High altitude species I found at about 750 to 950masl + raining season which means cool temperatures at arround 20C at night and very often raining / foggy conditions. Here in Manila the species accepted to feed on Rose only (just like Periphetes quezonicus) and is doing well. Most probably the genus Lonchodes isn't the right one for that species and further studies will surely prove it thus a genus change will very certainly occur in the near future.

LONCHODIODES SP "pocdol"

2010-08-13T11:12:00.000-07:00

Pocdol Mountains > Sorsogon Province > Bicol > South Luzon
The first species I'm having from that area of Luzon situated at the extreme South-East of the Island about 600km away from Manila
Nice large species in both sexes, male somewhat colorful with a nice orange body and leg joints. Here in Manila the species accepted African tulip tree and Guanabano (tagalog) as foodplants. Breeding is easy and species in long living.

Pictures of Sites #12

2010-08-04T02:40:00.001-07:00

Marinfanta Road Km95 > Sierra Madre > Quezon Province > East Luzon

This is a road that connects Marikina city (North Metro Manila - West Luzon) to Infanta (East Luzon), about 130km long it connects west to East through the Sierra Madre mountains. Its a project that started about 40 years ago under the rule of then president Ferdinand Marcos, all the way to today. It is approximately 80% completed, only a couple of dozen kilometers remain to be cemented near Infanta, however even not cemented road is drivable, just more tricky during raining season.

For us Stick collectors this road is a blessing, due to its location : the Sierra Madre mountains. About 60km are passing directly through the mountain chain, altitudes varies from 400masl to 850masl. Before completion of that road this whole area remained very unaccessible, it is now offering to us countless new trails, waterfalls and other pics to explore, such an exciting place to be. Actually our first stop on that road was Mount Daraitan at Km69, I featured already in a previous post. This time we pushed further till Km 95 were we stopped at about 750masl already with the car. Taking a side trail going up the rest of the mountain about 200meters up to 900masl. We discovered there on top of the mountain the "back side" of the road > the huge Sierra Madre area, so many pics to go....... First trip there, we were caught into an incoming typhoon, we could stay on site only about 90mns under buckets of water thrown to us by the typhoon, we decided then, soaked wet and full of mud, to abort collecting and go back to the car and Manila....... Marinfanta Km95 you will see us again there pretty soon, promised :))

OPHICRANIA VIRIDINERVIS

2010-07-28T05:43:00.001-07:00

Marinfanta road Km120 > Infanta > Quezon Province > East Luzon
What a fantastic beautiful species.......isn't it ?
We found several pairs of those there again in the same place we visited together with Joachim, Rob and Tim a trimester ago. They were found on Bamboo, always high about 7 / 8 feet (2 / 2,50m). First time we found that genus on Bamboo, here in Manila they were feeding on Bamboo too, difficult, because Bamboo dies within 24 hours in water bottles, so non-stop food changes......definitively the live Bamboo in pots is "the" solution.
Pics below : 3 first are adult male > next 3 are subadult female and last three are adult female.

EUCARCHARUS SP "Infanta"

2010-07-28T03:06:00.000-07:00

Marinfanta road Km120 > Infanta > Quezon Province > East Luzon
First two pictures showing location in which we found that particular "new" species (and a few others.....), second picture left side Rob Krijns hill climbing :), ahead of him (not in picture) Joachim Bresseel, Tim Bollens and myself, a trimester ago.
Beautiful, large, species we found in a few specimens only, femelle is pretty large all brown color, quite unattractive I must say, male large as well and nicely colored, red, green, dark blue and black. Typical Eucarcharus male behaviour "dancing" fast left/right motion while walking and at the first danger drops immediately on the floor and run.....!
Here in Manila, they immediately accepted Guava as a replacement foodplant.

BRASIDAS FOVEOLATA

2010-07-28T02:30:00.000-07:00

Mount Apo > South East Mindanao
A nice species from the Southern part of the country that was brought to me by Joachim Bresseel / Rob Krijns and Tim Bollens from their visit there a trimester ago, Thanks guys :))
No difficulties what so ever to breed that species on guava it accepted immediately, lower temperatures and a fair amount of water spray however.

Update # 6

2010-07-28T02:12:00.000-07:00

1 - A nice female variation of Eubulides igorrote, caught some weeks ago in Infanta / Quezon Province / East Luzon
2 - Newly hatched Phyllium ericoriai babies.

RHAMPHOSIPYLOIDEA SP "Tapulao"

2010-06-01T03:30:00.000-07:00

Mount Tapulao > Zambales Province > North West Luzon
Again like the previous rhamphosipyloidea species, not an easy one to find .......in fact just one female !!! This one has a white / greyish background and the same black dorsal markings. Just like the previous one from Ilanin, it feed problemless on Guava.
I found it last end of january 2010 high on Mt Tapulao in foggy / cool environement. Have many eggs but as yet no hatchings, just like its conterpart from Ilanin it seems it is very difficult to incubate the eggs and get hatchlings.......fingers crossed may be some will still hatch :))

RHAMPHOSIPYLOIDEA SP "Ilanin"

2010-06-01T03:18:00.000-07:00

Ilanin Forest > Bataan Province > West Luzon
Not the average Rhamphosipyloidea species this one.........Found just 1 female so far last august 2009. Beautifull species with a nice fragrant yellow background color and nice black dorsal markings. She laid many eggs but unfortunately only 1 hatched and quickly died as a hatchling. I will go back in a few months now to that same area to look for it again and may be I will be lucky :))

Other Non-Filipino species I breed/have breed #13

2010-05-01T03:12:00.000-07:00

MEGACRANIA BATESII
Origin > Australia
My third species of this genus, also a Pandanus feeder, also accepts all kinds of Pandanus with a slight preference for the "spiny ones". Beautiful blue/emerald coloured species, the largest in size of the 3 available Megacrania species available for culture to this day.........I do not desperate to find a fourth species someday here in the Philippines :))
Many thanks Rob :))

MITHRENES SP "Masinloc"

2010-03-23T19:37:00.000-07:00

Mount Masinloc (950masl) > Masinloc > Zambales Province > North-West Luzon
From all the Mithrenes species I found so far (6 if I'm not mistaken....) this one is the largest, both in male and female. Nice long lasting living species, not much colorfull as all Mithrenes are, but female with a nice interesting contrast of colors between the dark body and the light yellow legs. Species feeds here on various common grasses and shrubs.

Pictures of Sites # 11

2010-02-18T04:27:00.000-08:00

Mount Pico de Loro / Mount Palay-Palay > Maragondon Mountains > Cavite Province > South-West Luzon.

My very first time to go to that area of Luzon, was surprised how beautiful those Maragondon Mountains are looking...! By the way it is a National Park under the DENR administration, nicely preserved and managed I must say.
So, Mt Pico de Loro is about 4 hours walk from the main road and 664masl. trail quite easy going except for the last uphill portion which is medium steep and long going. Looking for Phasmids we did find just 3 species, scionecra (the same green species as from Mt Tapulao), clitumnus and unidentified - probably Asceles (?).

Side hills we're passing by before reaching Mt Pico de Loro

Trail up to Mt Pico de Loro

A view from the top to the lower hills and plains below, far on the horizon the South China Sea

My first time to produce a video on my blog, gives a more "live feeling", the sounds of the, no kidding, thousands od Cicadas in the area

Pictures of Sites # 10

2010-02-10T21:41:00.000-08:00

MOUNT DARAITAN > Barangay Daraitan, Tanay > Rizal Province.

Here we are, Mount Daraitan, 750masl at front the "mighty" Daraitan River (mighty only during raining season). Probably the most nice place I have been so far with Mt Palakong and QNP ! Unfortunately concerning Phasmids nothing in common with the other two sites mentionned, our collecting time was poor, just 3 species and all common ones......damage !

Trail along Daraitan River, going arround Mount Daraitan

Back side of Mount Daraitan, we just left Daraitan River curving left downhill

Trail uphill, was checked going down, at night, for Phasmids

Deep inside the Sierra Madre Mountains, about 1 hour from night fall. Start point of collecting, then all the way downhill to the Daraitan River

NECROSCIINAE SP "TAPULAO 2"

2010-02-02T17:55:00.001-08:00

My second Necrosciinae (temporary genus) species found on Mount Tapulao, after the green one I found last year there (and again this time).
This species is the phasmid I found at the highest altitude so far > about 1500masl.
Nice species, I found 2 weeks ago, with nice pinky wings, feeding here on Guanabano (Sour soup common name), in Europe on many kinds of Hypericums.
Very elegant phasmid.

ASYSTATA SP "MASINLOC"

2010-02-02T17:48:00.000-08:00

Found that new asystata 3 weeks ago on my first trip to Mount Masinloc-Zambales-West Luzon
My 6th finding of that genus :))
Like all other species they feed problemless on Guava (Psidium gujava)

Pictures of Sites # 9

2010-01-21T04:41:00.000-08:00

Mount Tapulao > Palauig, Zambales Province > North-West Luzon (2nd trip)

My second trip there and this time went much further into the mountain than the first time I collected at the edge of the forest only.
4 hours hard hiking from sea level to 1500masl, stopped engulfed in the clouds, cold mist and temperatures dropped dramatically and fast with the sunset. Cold mist available right at night start. Very few sticks spotted then at that altitude and for the next 6/7 hours going down the mountain we collected few specimens only......so I can say, considering the hard and exhausting trip we had it is a disappointing one !!
A few lessons to take from it however : collecting above 1000masl on north Luzon is collecting few specimens only and the higher you go the less specimens are to be found. Then because it is January temperatures are very cold then at night and many sticks we spotted were just hatchlings or L1, logically those will be adults at arround march which is the start of the summer and when temperatures even that hight won't drop bellow 18/20C.
The "thing" is that Mount Tapulao has no remaining forest available below 900m altitude.....everything below that has been logged, even burned to the ground and only high grass grows !

Pictures of Sites # 8

2010-01-17T19:30:00.000-08:00

Mount Masinloc and Masinloc Falls > Masinloc > Zambales Province > North-West Luzon.

My first collecting trip of the new year, Mt Masinloc, 950masl. Nice mountain with nicely preserved ecosystem, lots of insects and wildlife all arround. Typical west Luzon style forest, dry dipterocarpus. 4 hours collecting on a single trail that goes up half way the mountain to the Masinloc Falls, unfortunately trail then stops there and I was not able to go all the way to the summit. Found 3, may be 4 new species there > an Asystata, a Mithrenes, a Necrosia and another species I do not even know the genus ! Besides some sungaya males and the always there/everywhere Rhamphosipyloidea gorkomis :)
A place to visit sometimes again....!

2010-01-07T06:17:00.000-08:00

THE NEXT 3 POSTS ARE PROBABLY THE 3 MOST BEAUTIFUL AND THRILLING SPECIES I FOUND LAST YEAR 2009. ENJOY :))

NESCICROA THISBE

2010-01-07T06:06:00.000-08:00

Just one word we all said - me, joachim, nathalie, nando - when we found it on Mt Palakong last July 2009 > WOW !!!!!!
Truly amazing species, such a gorgeous mix of colors.
Unfortunately my attempt to culture it here in Manila failed, one because they refused each and every foodplants I proposed to them and secondly, I think, because of the much higher temperatures here in lowland Manila than there high on the mountain.

OPHICRANIA PALINURUS

2010-01-07T05:51:00.000-08:00

What can I say about that species > just magnifiscent !!!
Found it in QNP (Quezon National Park) in Atimonan, Quezon Province, South-East Luzon.
I found the male many months before the female was found by Joachim Bresseel last July 2009. That species feed on Palms exclusively, refuses Pandanus.
They live quite long in captivity, need a high humidity, they however produce very few eggs > more or less 5/6 eggs a week and only if conditions are good.
Males are very good flyers, females do not fly they are moving very little either and can remain immobile on the foodplant for a very long time they just wait for the males to fly and find them :)

NECROSCIA NIGROFASCIATA

2010-01-07T05:33:00.000-08:00

Fantastic and quite large species, I found many months ago far in the mountains arround Tayabas, Quezon Province, East Luzon.
Will always remember the first female in my flashlight, standing on top of a large leaf, blue silverish antennas up and stricking pink wings open.......I was so stunned I could'nt even say anything, just stayed mute of admiration !!!!
Took a "big risk" that evening as the area we were in was a notorious communist rebels area infested. Incidently in the short 2 hours we stayed in that area we found only this species, about 6 couples, feeding on a wild species of cinnamomum. here in manila they accepted easily jasminum and sampagita as replacement plants. Eggs are very large, long and curved, the female "hammers" them with great force in a soft support, styrophoam in my case. Unfortunately none of the eggs I got ever emerged and i lost the culture of that species :((
Nothing else left to me that "repeat" the risky trip in that area to get new specimens again.......a trip to "think about" first for obvious reasons.....!!!

End Year Holidays

2009-12-20T04:29:00.001-08:00

ASCELES SP "Real"

2009-12-05T01:18:00.001-08:00

Species similar to Asceles scabra from QNP, found it there again, deep in Mount-Palakong, Real, East Luzon 6 months ago in the company of Joachim bresseel during that "famous" collecting night :))

MITHRENES SP "Heitzmanni"

2009-12-04T19:13:00.000-08:00

Yet another Mithrenes species I actually found as early as August 2008.....but found only a single pair and the hatchlings from that couple all died as they refused all foodplants I was proposing to them ! Then last August 2009 I went back to the exact same place as the previous year hoping to find that species again and this time I was luckier as I found several pairs on a single night, however that species is confined to a very small area on a trail about 400 meter long along a river in the Ilanin forest, West-Luzon and thats it, never found any anywhere else than that piece of trail !!! This time too I was able to ID the foodplant and was able to breed it. Ilanin Forest is a place very kind to me as it previously gave me also the First Phyllium species 9 years ago, today known as PSG278 and the very first male of Sungaya inexpectata 2 years ago, unknown at that time :))

UPDATE # 5

2009-10-26T03:29:00.000-07:00

And here are the pictures of the Adult male of Ctenomorphodes tessulata, missing in my previous post.

Other Non-Filipino species I breed / have breed #12

2009-10-07T01:32:00.000-07:00

EXTATOSOMA TIARATUM SP?
Origin > Queensland - Australia
Here's a very nice and interesting species......starts with the eggs that are only half size of the "usual" ETs we all know, then the females colorations are very variable indeed : as pictured it goes from brown to orange and then green!!! I started culture with guava (Psidium gujava) till L4 then changed foodplant to Muntingia....from that moment on started to appear a few specimens turning green color :) I should have probably started with muntingia even a moult earlier and I'm convinced that some specimens would turn in very deep green color > next generation for sure ! Sexual breeding. (Thanks Alex)

Other Non-Filipino species I breed / have breed #11

2009-10-07T01:23:00.000-07:00

CTENOMORPHODES TESSULATA
Origin > Queensland - Australia
Nice medium sized phasmid, pretty common, variable in colorations. Nice orange mini wings however. Have only females in culture as of today and a single male which is a subadult now (see future UPDATE for pics). Species is parthenogenetic anyway. I feed them problemless on guava (Psidium gujava). (Thanks Alex)

Other Non-Filipino species I breed / have breed #10

2009-10-06T22:48:00.000-07:00

ACROPHYLLA TITAN
Origin > Queensland - Australia
Sumptuous and very large species, the largest I have breed so far. Both sexes have large wings, black and white with a nice purple base, the male flies nicely, strongly.
Here they accepted Guava (Psidium gujava) as replacement foodplant easily. That species require a very large cage, at least 80cm in height, as the final moult of the female is a tricky one, she needs that depth to fully hang her huge front legs and develop correctly her large wings. (thanks Alex)

Other Non-Filipino species I breed / have breed # 9

2009-10-06T20:28:00.001-07:00

MEGACRANIA TSUDAI
Origin > Taiwan

My second Pandanus eater and Megacrania after sp. Phelaus ! Parthenogenetic culture......so all females.....less colorful species than Phelaus but has its charm too. Tought that Phelaus was eating many Pandanus but compared to this one > no match !!! They eat each and every variety of Pandanus I have been given to them, tried about 5 kinds and all were eaten ! (thanks Ken)

UPDATE # 4

2009-10-06T01:44:00.000-07:00

1) Here is a "foodplants" update to consider :

> Orthomeria sp. pandora beside, Firethorn/Pyracantha (cf. Bruno Kneubuhler), also accept Willowherb as foodplant (cf. Rob Krijns / Netherlands - Thank you)

> Tisamenus sp Clotho? is NOT accepting Bramble as foodplant as other Tisamenus do, but feed on Firethorn (Pyracantha) and Hypericum (cf. Bruno Kneubuhler / Switzerland - Thank you)

> Scionecra sp. "QNP" will very probably feed on Cherry Laurel as do its close relative from "Negros" (cf. Bruno Kneubuhler / Switzerland - Thank you)

PERIPHETES QUEZONICUS

2009-08-15T07:18:00.001-07:00

One of the top 3 most beautiful species I found for my taste !!! Found the female on Mt Palakong together with Joachim Bresseel last early july 2009, we were already on our way going down at about midnight, when Joachim called me he spotted her on top of a big leaf ! I still can remember the happiness when we both held her ! The whole Palakong trip for me was based upon the wish to find that female species as I found the male only on a previous trip there. Back in Manila I (re)united both male and female, they paired quickly and eggs started immediately to be laid. They accepted immediately Rose as replacement plant. Both of them are still alive as of today and going strong still for my daily pleasures :)

Pictures of Sites # 7

2009-08-15T06:53:00.000-07:00

Mount Palakong Simbahan - Real - Quezon Province - East Luzon
So here it is the pics of my favourite mountain so far .....! Trully phasmids paradise, me and Joachim Bresseel (on second picture below) found a stagering 20 species on a single night on that mountain and covered only half of its height to 500m asl, total elevation is 1070m asl.
Long and tough climb to reach even half of the mountain but such rewarding....found there were tisamenus, periphetes, phyllium, asystata, nescicroa, scionecra, pharnacia and so on.....! Hopefully that entire site can remain as it is for a long time still, free of any loggings or forest clearings/fires. Place should be protected whatever the costs !

ASYSTATA SP "Real"

2009-08-08T05:56:00.001-07:00

The 5th species of that genus I found so far......this one only a few weeks ago on Mount Palakong, Real, East Luzon - at about 400/450m altitude. Like all other species I have in culture, they immediately accepted Guava (psidium gujava) as replacement foodplant. Found a single couple only, which is adult now and starting egg laying.

MNESILOCHUS SP "Maculot"

2009-08-08T05:49:00.000-07:00

Found that species on Mount Maculot, an isolated volcano mountain on the south-west of Luzon at about 350/400m altitude. Found 3 pairs that night.

MNESILOCHUS SP "Tayabas"

2009-08-08T05:43:00.000-07:00

This species I found on the East side of Mt-Banahaw, not any more laguna province but Quezon province ! Picture of the male is missing me unfortunately, it will be posted in a few weeks on one of my "Updates"

MNESILOCHUS SP "Cristobal"

2009-08-08T05:31:00.001-07:00

That species I found on Mount-Cristobal, sister mountain of Mt-Banahaw, laguna province, South Luzon. This species is till today the one I found at the highest elevation, at 900/1000m ! Night then was wet and pretty cold at that altitude, I tought there was nothing to find there when I saw that species, just one single female ! Since, I have that species in culture here in lowland Manila at far higher temperatures than the original specimen found > culture is going very nicely despite that and I have now many 1st generation adults.

UPDATE #3

2009-08-07T07:39:00.000-07:00

1) Species Asceles sp "QNP" has now been successfully ID (cf. Joachim Bresseel) as Asceles scabra.
2) here below a picture of a nice female variation of Phyllium philippinicus n. sp. or PSG278.

MNESILOCHUS SP "QNP"

2009-08-07T07:20:00.001-07:00

Found that species long time ago, exactly last november 2008. Since then I was able to culture it and produce many adults which are laying eggs now again. Beautiful, medium size species, very adapted to its environement and almost invisible among branches. Can take many positions, break it's body and neck in extremes ways, amazing.

ASYSTATA SP "QNP 2"

2009-08-07T07:15:00.001-07:00

Just like the previous species of the same genus, collected that single specimen as subadult at the site. Turned adult female soon after and again "parthenogenetic" culture was successfull.

ASYSTATA SP "TAYABAS"

2009-08-07T07:01:00.000-07:00

Got that species on a single specimen that was a subadult at collecting site. Eventually she turned adult a couple of weeks later. Was concerned if that genus could generate a "parthenogenetic" culture and it did !!!!

PHYLLIUM ERICORIAI N.SP.

2009-07-04T08:46:00.000-07:00

My second Phylliun discovery after PSG278 I found 10 years ago in Ilanin forest. This one I found in the same location as the previous species (orthomeria sp). Nearly going back home and close to the parked car, took a last check on a cut guava tree that was growing again from the soil in a mess of mixed plants and climbers > lifted a small branch and there they were, 5 small nymphs underneath those leaves protecting themselves from the rain !!!! I was just stunned and could'nt believe it !!! Same species was already found in the island of Marinduque, south-Luzon, only a few months before I found those....!

ORTHOMERIA SP (Pandora?)

2009-07-04T08:20:00.000-07:00

Here yet another fantastic species I found a few weeks ago in Real / Quezon province, East-Luzon. Small species, male 40/50mm - female 70/80mm, male is a very good flyer and can fly for quite a long distance ! The "thing" with that species is its extreme attitude > highly nervous, almost epilleptic, drops on the floor and run/thumbles franticly !!!! It takes some habitude to be able to handle them without having a nervous breakdown :)) Pictures 2 and 3 are the nymphs stages of the male, quite extraordinary how each stage looks sooo different for the previous one, isn't it ? According to Bruno (kneubuhler) that had a one time breeding try of that genus, they accepted Pyracantha as foodplant in Europe.

NECROSCIINAE SP "Tapulao 1"

2009-06-21T20:15:00.001-07:00

Another species of that beautiful genus I collected last end of January on the foot of Mount-Tapulao / Zambales province, West-Luzon. Collected a single specimen then, a female that was a subadult (unfortunately). She moulted to adulthood a couple of weeks later and lived pretty long feeding on guava (psidium gujava). Of course eggs laid were sterile and I lost the culture of that species too [for the moment till my next trip to Mt-Tapulao....:) ]

NECROSCIINAE SP. "Cristobal"

2009-06-21T20:07:00.001-07:00

Rare species I collected end of November 2008, midway up to Mount-Cristobal / Laguna (sister mountain of Mt-Banahaw). Despite having accepted Guanabano (annona muricata) as foodplant here in Manila, the only couple I had then died quickly within a week, the 20 eggs laid then never hatched !!!!

TISAMENUS SP. (clotho?)

2009-06-12T06:42:00.001-07:00

Probably the most beautiful of the 3 species I found so far ! Found it in 2 different locations, 1st in the Sierra Madre mountains on the way to Real / Quezon province, East Luzon and also in Real itself. Have still today 3 females in culture, feeding on guava and avocado, laying few eggs 1 or 2 a week only.

TISAMENUS SP. (fratercula?)

2009-06-12T06:37:00.000-07:00

Beautiful species, small size, I found in the middle of the Quezon National Park (QNP), Atimonan, Quezon province, South-East Luzon, last end of November 2008 ! She died only a couple of weeks in captivity having laid only very few eggs, which have not at this day emerged ! like the previous species she was feeding on guava.

TISAMENUS SP "Baras"

2009-06-12T06:25:00.000-07:00

Small species I caught in Baras / Rizal province only 51 km from Metro Manila, In a tiny saved forest heaven, last end of august 2008 ! kept her alive for a very long time, 8 months as she died last march 2009. She laid many eggs but unfortunately to this day nothing emerged from !
She was easily feeding on Guava. Very slow moving phasmid, looking like a relique from ancient times isn't it ?

UPDATE #2

2009-05-31T05:02:00.000-07:00

After further checkings, species formerly Sosibia morio? and Sosibia sp"Ilanin" changed names and are now respectively : Asystata sp "QNP" and Asystata sp "Ilanin". All former eggs buyers please take note of the changes. Thank you.

UPDATE #1

2009-05-07T04:36:00.001-07:00

UPDATES > an additional posting to update some previous posts with missing pictures at that precise time of a male / female species, eggs, variations.......
Today 2 pictures :
The first one of the adult male of the species Asceles scabra which at the time was not featured as only the adult female was collected. Cultured the said species and produced many pairs :))
The second one of a variation of the species Mnesilochus capreolus?, a beautiful female with a few nicely placed white spots.......Very nice camouflage isn't it ?

ASYSTATA SP "ILANIN"

2009-05-01T06:21:00.000-07:00

Very nice species I found a few weeks ago on the West coast of Luzon, Bataan Province. Easy breeding here on guava (Psidium gujava).

MITHRENES SP "Real"

2009-05-01T06:10:00.000-07:00

Quite large species that varies from a nice olive green colour to dark brown in some individuals. Found it in several locations, confined to the East Luzon Pacific coast. Here in Manila the species accepts African tulip tree as foodplant.

NECROSCIINAE SP "QNP"

2009-04-27T08:45:00.000-07:00

Very beautifull species isn't it ? and pretty rare too !!! Very active males and females too, both sexes flying very well and "spraying" a strong repelant odor. I breed them on Annona muricata (annonaceae) they accepted immediately as a substitute plant. Found them deep in the forest on an unidentified climber plant and quite high on it about 2 to 2,50m (7 to 8ft) which is "unusual" for most Phasmids. I suppose those "winged" species due to their flying capabilities venture higher in the trees and bigger shrubs.
And their eggs, amazing shape, almost paper thin, have to be kept in a humid environement all the time. Just astonishing how anything can emerge from that kind of egg, but it does and quite big size even !!!!!

EUBULIDES ALUTACEUS

2009-04-27T06:22:00.000-07:00

Another beautiful species from the Obrimini family. Found those in several places but always in very wet terrain, even swampy, where the foodplant grows ! Female has a very developped and strong ovipositor. Nymphs very variable in colors and difficult to imagine those becoming those adults as they look very far appart...:)

Pictures of Sites # 6

2009-03-25T07:56:00.000-07:00

Tayabas > Quezon Province ---> South-East Luzon
# First picture shows landscape arround us on our way going more inside the hills side.
# Second picture shows our "targeted hill" in the background.
# third picture : Trail start.
# Fourth/Fifth and sixth pictures shows a "resting plaza" we found perfect for us to start our collecting night, about 1km or so inside the lower part of the said hill side. Approximate altitude at 500/550 m asl, approximate air temperature 24/25 degrees centigrade. Sky pristine, no clouds in sight and almost no wind at all.
Beautiful place we visited yesterday March 24th, 4 hours of collecting from 7pm (19:00) to 11pm (23:00). Just a few minutes in collecting and already signs of many phasmids activity in the area, a couple of minutes later already a couple of Asceles males, several mithrenes species in various stages. Going back to the main trail, collecting left and right sides of the tiny trail, beautiful stenobrimus bolivari, Eubulides sp, some Necrosia sp (muna??), clitumnus nematodes, sosibias and countless Rhamphosipyloidea philippa.....!
We had a wonderfull time on a perfect night ----> definitively a place to go back again and again and again ..... :))

ASYSTATA SP "QNP"

2009-03-19T07:59:00.001-07:00

Beautiful species from Quezon National park (yet again !), I caught last end of November 2008, so toward the end of the raining season, nice black with 2 small white spots ! Next generation, now in early summer and surprise ---> color changed to grey and more widespread white patches, beautiful as well....! Species is feeding here on Annonaceae (Annona muricata) and accept Hypericum in Europe (cf. Joachim Bresseel / Belgium)

Other Non-Filipino species I breed / have breed #8

2009-02-06T02:18:00.000-08:00

MEGACRANIA PHELAUS
Origin > Malaita (Solomon Islands)
I breed them on Pandanus species. Any species will do, they accept all of them I brought into the cage, long/thin - large/thick-Spiny or not spiny !
What can I say about that species, words are missing me to express how delightful they are, at each stages of developement it's a joy to look at them. Except for the L1 stage breeding of that species is easy, they eat a lot and it's better to secure many Pandanus sources !
Thanks Bruno for the eggs !

Other Non-Filipino species I breed / have breed #7

2009-02-06T02:04:00.000-08:00

NECROSCIA ANNULIPES
Origin > Malaysia (Tapah Hills)
I breed them on Jasmine (Jasminum) having no Hypericum available arround me here. Beautiful species quite easy to breed, males very active however, they can easily escape an open cage as they fly very well with their deep pink wings > gorgeous !!!! Thanks Bruno for the eggs.

Pictures of Sites # 5

2009-01-29T04:39:00.000-08:00

Mount-Tapulao (or High-Peak) > Zambales Province ---> North-West Luzon
First picture below shows the Zambales Province plains and the South-China sea at the background. Picture 2 is the trail going up to Mount-Tapulao. Pictures 3 and 4 is a mountain called "Small Tapulao" situated on the right of High-Peak. Pictures 5 and 6 is Mount-Tapulao.
-----> Well, a "big adventure" going to Mount-Tapulao last tuesday january 27th, wide trail stony is usued by local people from the resettlement center on the jump-off site of the trail to gather bamboos to make thousands of "barbecue sticks" used all over the country, good wood lumber as well (unfortunately). Also used by a mining company operating on the mountain and finally by mountaineers, nature lovers (like us). Difficult climb with portions of the trail at 40-45 degrees steep, open fields for at least 6km no shade and a very hot sun !!!! the first 6-7km of the trail totally logged and partially burned. Took us 7km+ of climbing to reach the first forest portion at arround 800m altitude, Mount-Tapulao itself is 2037m high and the total trail distance is 17km !!!! We reached the "secondary" style forest just before night and continued uphill then looking for phasmids. Different kind of forest from the ones we have seen so far, very spiny - lots of Pandanus (giant ones), many species of thorny shrubs and palms - some of them partially covered with mosses and climbing ferns. Pretty dry at this time of year, however there was a strong dew quickly after sunset as temperature felt rapiditely from the upper thirties to the lower twenties. Forest farther on the foot of Mount-Tapulao probably still more rich and diverse......but this is a "discovery" for the next time on the high-Peak !!!

MITHRENES WHITEHEADI

2009-01-10T02:35:00.000-08:00

This species is the rarest one I have posted so far !!! Eggs were still unknown, but will be described soon ! Found that medium/large species along with the Mithrenes caluweae, they live in the same places and feed on the same foodplants. They have an evident "attraction" for small river banks and love to hang over the water on a dried twig, most of the time male is always present - or matting or just standby ! On close-up picture of the female, nice to notice the tiny black scattered spots on the body and the black "horns" on top of the head.

MITHRENES CALUWEAE

2009-01-09T07:04:00.000-08:00

Nice and new species (under description) I found a few weeks ago in the South-East of Luzon (Quezon province) as well as on Mount-Cristobal (South-Luzon / Laguna Province). A few nice females variations. I feed them here in Manila on African Tulip Tree (Spathodea campanulata/Bignonaceae), In Europe they should feed on Ivy, etc....

RELEASING # 1

2008-12-31T03:14:00.000-08:00

First such an experience for me and the guys on the trips with me is that big releasing we made 2 days ago on late afternoon at Ilanin Forest (west-Luzon) !! Released where 20 adults Mnesilochus capreolus (the same ones I got at the same place as L1-L2 babies 6 months ago......) and especially 400+ L1-L2 and L3 Sungaya inexpectata babies. Additional to those was released as well, almost a thousand eggs of sungaya inexpectata and several hundreds eggs of Phyllium sp. !! Of course the releasing sites were carefully chosen, according foodplants availability and history of such species present already at the sites. Very nice feeling indeed watching all those hundreds phasmids walking slowly away underneath leaves, giving all of us a lasting feeling of something achieved and hopefully contributing, even so slightly, to keep those species (for) ever present in those areas. Definitively an experience to renew some day !!! :))

Pictures of Sites # 4

2008-12-30T19:54:00.000-08:00

ILANIN FOREST (Bataan Province) > North-West Luzon
Nice dense forest, definitively much more dry than the east coast forest (Quezon National Park for example). Much fewer rainfall here, perfect biotope for Sungaya inexpectata, Mnesilochus capreolus, Clitumnus nematodes (I found a nice number of those yesterday 30.12.08, all on a bamboo species with small leaves).
Two first pictures are from the lowest part of the forest close to the sea, all others are from an area called "Hill 394", the highest mount of the forest (394 meters) ! Called that way by the American army troups that were station here for 50 years (the biggest military base in the Pacific), hill 394 was a helipad for military exercises, etc....! Today it's a beautifull flat spot from where you can enjoy a wonderfull view of the nearby bay , the Zambales and the Bataan mountains arround.

MNESILOCHUS CAPREOLUS [?]

2008-12-18T05:51:00.000-08:00

Nice, medium size species I found on the west coast of Luzon several months ago. They belong to the Lonchodiinae family. Nice attitudes, often still in very pretty/extraordinary positions. Here in Quezon City I feed them with leaves of an African Tulip tree (imported) / Spathodea campanullata (Bignonaceae) with good results.

While the above male are all looking pretty much the same, the females they, come in several forms - have 4 pictured here > the plain brown, the plain (nearly) black, the mosaic and the striped. Beautiful .....!

EUCARCHARUS FERULOIDES SP. New Variation

2008-12-11T06:43:00.000-08:00

Have breed Eucarcharus feruloides before, this ones somewhat different with its white median line and white scattered dots !! Same foodplant however > guava. Also same attitude toward nightfall and/or spraying water ---> female then changes body color to purple/violet.......nice change ! how and why it happens I don't know.......whoever knows please post on clicking "comments" on the bottom of this post, thanks !
Specie originating from South-Cotabato Province / South-Mindanao.
Thanks to Ben (Benjamin Mabanta / Quezon-City) for handing me over 2 beautiful couples :))

STENOBRIMUS BOLIVARI

2008-12-09T05:57:00.000-08:00

What a beautiful and elegant species isn't it ?
Found that pretty rare species in South-East Luzon on a rainy night, enjoying the wet ferns, which they feed on exclusively. They come in 3 different "forms", the black/brown one (I also found on Mt-Cristobal / Laguna Province) is the adult , the black one with green spines is the subadult and finaly the most nice one mostly green with black stipes are the nymphs L1 to L4.
Long legs / weightless they move so elegantly in the wind on the ferns > love that species !

ASCELES SCABRA

2008-12-08T05:34:00.001-08:00

Found that specie in Atimonan (South-East Luzon) exactly 2 weeks ago, a single female with missing front leg ! Still have her alive today because this time, lucky I was, she was sitting on her foodplant - yes !
A medium shrub about 1.50m high with medium/large leaves. She was sitting underneath a leaf, making it pretty hard to see as "usual" catches are mostly on top of leaves or on open twigs.
That foodplant is the "important" thing as if propagated it can (hopefully) stop my current problems with that genus feeding after the first two species died out.

ASCELES ICARIS (?)

2008-12-08T05:20:00.000-08:00

Another - rare - specie of that genus, this one from Laguna Province (south-Luzon).
Again like the previous one, found 2 couples (matting) on a dried twig, could not as well identify the foodplant and both couples died quickly within a week !
Again, I remember the exact site where I found those and some day I'm back there looking for new ones > that said, only, when I have an identified foodplant for Asceles species and nicely growing here in Quezon City ......!
What to say about the eggs of that genus ..... just extraordinary how the female drills the underleaf of the plant and deposit each egg upside down, all ready for the babies to hatch and immediately be at the food source !!!

ASCELES SP "Baras"

2008-12-08T04:21:00.000-08:00

Found that beautiful and especially "new specie" in Rizal Province in the same place as the Sungaya inexpectata (highlands) featured earlier post. Unfortunately I was not able to keep her alive long as I could'nt identify her foodplant on the site...... tried everything I possibly could, but she refused all plants I brought to her ! May be one day I go back there and I can find that specie again......who knows, fingerscrossed !

Pictures of Sites #3

2008-11-29T03:52:00.000-08:00

QUEZON NATIONAL PARK (Quezon Province) > South / East Luzon > Atimonan
2nd Trip
Some "live" pictures

SUNGAYA INEXPECTATA [highlands / parthenogenetic]

2008-11-12T19:05:00.001-08:00

Found those in the last week of last August 2008, on a mountain in Rizal Province (55km east of Manila) about 750/800m in altitude. Landscape on those mountains there pretty sad, trees 90% logged, only small bushes and high grass remains. There in the middle of the "sadness" there was a corner of "heaven" preserved mountain side ! Abandonned offices looked at by a single caretaker [which became our collecting partner of a night :)) ]. Found 4 nice species there in about 2 hectares of quite dense forest with small river on lower part. One of them was this Sungaya inexpectata (others will be posted later when identified) only females, not a single male in sight ! Unlike it's counterpart from the lowlands all females have the same "look", no colour variations and the head "crown" is much more developped here in the mountain specie.
Some foodplants choices differences too, both lowland and highland sungaya accept guava (psidium guajava) > however the highland specie do not accept mango (magifera indica) and Schefflera sp but prefer ferns especially those with medium and larger leaves.

Pictures of Sites #2

2008-11-02T03:57:00.000-08:00

QUEZON NATIONAL PARK (Quezon Province) > South / East Luzon > Atimonan

LONCHODES PHILIPPINICUS

2008-10-28T08:03:00.000-07:00

From Panay Island (Central Visayas) comes that beautiful specie, the male especially nicely bicolored. I breed that specie on : Rose. Quite a slow developement however.

CLITUMNUS (Ramulus) NEMATODES

2008-10-28T02:32:00.000-07:00

Found those last July 07th and 19th, 2 trips to Ilanin Forest, Bataan Province, Western Luzon. A common specie all arround Asia. I breed them locally on simple grass.

Pictures of Sites #1

2008-10-24T06:15:00.000-07:00

FAMY / SINILOAN (Laguna province) > South/East-Luzon > Mount-Romelo

Other Non-Filipino species I breed / have breed #6

2008-10-13T07:24:00.000-07:00

HETEROPTERYX DILATATA

Origin > Malaysia

I breed them on > Mango (Mangifera indica / anacardiaceae) - Schefflera species (araliaceae)

and on a lower use : Guava (Psidium guajava / Myrtaceae)

Other Non-Filipino species I breed / have breed #5

2008-09-18T08:08:00.003-07:00

EURYCNEMA GOLIATH

Origin > Australia
I breed them on > Guava ---> Psidium guajava (Myrtaceae)

Other Non-Filipino species I breed / have breed #4

2008-09-18T08:08:00.002-07:00

PHAENOPHAROS KHAOYAIENSIS

Origin > Thailand
I breed them on > Guanabano (Tagalog) ----> Annona muricata (Annonaceae)
Parthenogenetic

Other Non-Filipino species I breed / have breed #3

2008-09-18T08:08:00.001-07:00

EXTATOSOMA TIARATUM

Origin > Australia
I breed them on > Guava ---> Psidium guajava (Myrtaceae)
Parthenogenetic