Mnesilochus sp. "Mt. Halcon" [Stick insect]

Mnesilochus sp. "Mt. Halcon" [Stick insect]

Postby Westley Price » Mon Aug 18, 2014 5:00 pm

Hi All

I hadn't posted these as I first wanted to know if I could successfully keep them and a few weeks down the line, they're all still alive so I assume I am not doing too bad.

This is a phasmid species from Mount Halcon in the Phillipines. As adults they are probably one of the best twig impersonators, even creating a kink, mid-body.

I currently have 6 nymphs (all still L1) which I hatched from eggs and all appear to be doing well. One has a funky leg which was caused during hatching, but he should moult out of it.

These pics were taken during the day when they're completely dormant. At night they come to life with antennae waving everywhere.

Enjoy.

Image

Image

Image

Image
"I am dying by inches from not having anybody to talk to about insects." - Charles Darwin
User avatar
Westley Price
Forum gatekeeper
 
Posts: 4019
Joined: Tue Feb 12, 2008 8:25 am
Location: South Africa

Re: Mnesilochus sp. "Mt. Halcon" [Stick insect]

Postby Bushviper » Wed Aug 20, 2014 12:47 pm

You would need an eagle eye to spot these in the wild.
It is easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.

Those who are afraid to ask are ashamed of learning.
User avatar
Bushviper
Founder Member
 
Posts: 17358
Joined: Fri Jul 15, 2005 10:02 am
Location: Pretoria

Re: Mnesilochus sp. "Mt. Halcon" [Stick insect]

Postby Westley Price » Wed Aug 20, 2014 1:06 pm

Haha, true BV.

I am trying to enjoy these as much as I can before the newly proposed legislation outlaws all exotic stick/leaf insects.
"I am dying by inches from not having anybody to talk to about insects." - Charles Darwin
User avatar
Westley Price
Forum gatekeeper
 
Posts: 4019
Joined: Tue Feb 12, 2008 8:25 am
Location: South Africa

Re: Mnesilochus sp. "Mt. Halcon" [Stick insect]

Postby Inyanga » Thu Aug 21, 2014 8:10 am

Hi Westly

The new legislation, if read strictly, outlaws ALL stick insects as its just a listing"Phasmatodea", so best watch out for your indigenous species too!
Actually, the listing is category 3, so you will still be able to keep them, just not breed them (best of luck stopping that with the parthenogenic species), selling them or otherwise distributing them...
This one comes from the forestry industry methinks, although I suspect they have their own gripes with the NEMBA list...
Inyanga
SA Reptiles Member
 
Posts: 59
Joined: Wed Jul 18, 2012 11:39 am

Re: Mnesilochus sp. "Mt. Halcon" [Stick insect]

Postby Westley Price » Thu Aug 21, 2014 8:17 am

Inyanga, thanx for that.

Luckily for the time being I am based in Namibia so the new legislation will not affect me, but if I do come back to SA it will be a concern.

I understand the inclusion of phasmids in certain areas (like KZN for instance) where the climate is perfect for an alien phasmid species to take hold, but in 75% of the country that is not the case.

Another issue with phasmids is the low price; people buying a phasmid for R5 will not think twice about releasing it when they lose interest. Prices need to be adjusted to make sure only people with genuine interest purchase animals.
"I am dying by inches from not having anybody to talk to about insects." - Charles Darwin
User avatar
Westley Price
Forum gatekeeper
 
Posts: 4019
Joined: Tue Feb 12, 2008 8:25 am
Location: South Africa

Re: Mnesilochus sp. "Mt. Halcon" [Stick insect]

Postby Inyanga » Thu Aug 21, 2014 1:18 pm

@Westley

I fully agree, there are serious reasons behind (some) of the listings on that document, I just worry that the baby is going out with the bathwater. Over 1000 listed species of plant, animal, fungus etc, yet only a handful of them are seriously a problem, like black wattle for instance vs. the entire phasmid family. But that said, people who let their exotics go when bored of them should also be dragged into the street and shot, figuratively speaking as they spoil it for the rest of us, moral issues aside...
Inyanga
SA Reptiles Member
 
Posts: 59
Joined: Wed Jul 18, 2012 11:39 am

Re: Mnesilochus sp. "Mt. Halcon" [Stick insect]

Postby Westley Price » Tue Oct 21, 2014 7:57 am

Well these little guys are doing well although they seem to be quite slow-growing. They are probably 70mm long now and looking healthy.

Their colour, pattern and texture is starting to show so I really look forward to their development.

Love the devil's horns :smt074

Image

Image

Image
"I am dying by inches from not having anybody to talk to about insects." - Charles Darwin
User avatar
Westley Price
Forum gatekeeper
 
Posts: 4019
Joined: Tue Feb 12, 2008 8:25 am
Location: South Africa

Re: Mnesilochus sp. "Mt. Halcon" [Stick insect]

Postby Westley Price » Wed Dec 31, 2014 11:19 am

So my first male Mnesilochus sp "Mt. Halcon" has moulted to adult so now it's just a matter of waiting for a female to do the same!

Here is one of the males, significantly smaller than the females.

Image

And here is a sub-adult female

Image

Image

Image

Enjoy
"I am dying by inches from not having anybody to talk to about insects." - Charles Darwin
User avatar
Westley Price
Forum gatekeeper
 
Posts: 4019
Joined: Tue Feb 12, 2008 8:25 am
Location: South Africa

Re: Mnesilochus sp. "Mt. Halcon" [Stick insect]

Postby Ruan Stander » Wed Dec 31, 2014 12:31 pm

Alien looking critters !
The way to success has no shortcuts.
Ruan Stander
SA Reptiles Member
 
Posts: 1008
Joined: Thu Mar 29, 2012 5:25 pm
Location: Mookgopong/Modimolle(Naboomspruit/Nylstroom)

Re: Mnesilochus sp. "Mt. Halcon" [Stick insect]

Postby Westley Price » Sat Jan 24, 2015 8:38 am

So 5 months down the line from the first hatchlings, I have just collected my first eggs from one of the females :D Super chuffed with myself.

Cute little eggs with a cap on them. Amazing how much they resemble seeds.

Image

First adult female full of eggs. I love this species due to their amazing imitation of twigs.

Image

Image

Image

This is the first of about 5 females which are adult, so there are a bunch of ova to come.

If anyone has a sincere interest in phasmids, feel free to contact me for some ova, but I wont be giving to just anyone; I will assess your responsibility because of phasmids' invasive potential.
"I am dying by inches from not having anybody to talk to about insects." - Charles Darwin
User avatar
Westley Price
Forum gatekeeper
 
Posts: 4019
Joined: Tue Feb 12, 2008 8:25 am
Location: South Africa

Re: Mnesilochus sp. "Mt. Halcon" [Stick insect]

Postby Ruan Stander » Sat Jan 24, 2015 12:11 pm

Whoa now that is cool.
I wouldn't be surprised if these were brought to earth by aliens ;)
The way to success has no shortcuts.
Ruan Stander
SA Reptiles Member
 
Posts: 1008
Joined: Thu Mar 29, 2012 5:25 pm
Location: Mookgopong/Modimolle(Naboomspruit/Nylstroom)

Re: Mnesilochus sp. "Mt. Halcon" [Stick insect]

Postby Westley Price » Sat Jan 24, 2015 9:09 pm

Thanx predator, yeah they are out of this world. The freakiest is when you watch them moult...there are these white threads which are usually internal that become external. A bit gross, haha.

For anyone with interest, please check my little informal blog.

http://freaky-phasmids.blogspot.com/
"I am dying by inches from not having anybody to talk to about insects." - Charles Darwin
User avatar
Westley Price
Forum gatekeeper
 
Posts: 4019
Joined: Tue Feb 12, 2008 8:25 am
Location: South Africa

Re: Mnesilochus sp. "Mt. Halcon" [Stick insect]

Postby Ruan Stander » Sat Jan 24, 2015 10:02 pm

Aliens are out there, I'm tellin' ya !
Amazing stuff !
The way to success has no shortcuts.
Ruan Stander
SA Reptiles Member
 
Posts: 1008
Joined: Thu Mar 29, 2012 5:25 pm
Location: Mookgopong/Modimolle(Naboomspruit/Nylstroom)

Re: Mnesilochus sp. "Mt. Halcon" [Stick insect]

Postby Westley Price » Mon Feb 02, 2015 7:58 pm

Few more pics.

Adult pair playing "twig." Male below and female on top.

Image

Adult male in a typical pose

Image

Adult female full of eggs

Image

Image
"I am dying by inches from not having anybody to talk to about insects." - Charles Darwin
User avatar
Westley Price
Forum gatekeeper
 
Posts: 4019
Joined: Tue Feb 12, 2008 8:25 am
Location: South Africa


Return to Other invertebrates

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest

cron