OBRIMUS SP. BICOLANUS??

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 !

NECROSCIINAE SP "Pulog"

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"

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"

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

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 :))

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" :))