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Post by Wood~Ant on Jan 17, 2006 10:54:03 GMT
Here are some photos of my leaf insects, both as young nymphs and semi-adult forms. I hope you like them, as I think they are truly amazing in the way mother nature has camoflaged them from predators
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Post by Wood~Ant on Feb 9, 2006 17:09:33 GMT
My largest leafy lady has begun laying eggs At the moment I have only collected 10 from her, but as she is young and in very good health, I believe this number will give rise to many more as she is laying about 5 per day Let's hope my other 2 girls do the same once they become mature enough, as being hermaphrodites, they don't require any males to fertilize their eggs
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Post by Jenny on Feb 10, 2006 7:20:27 GMT
Whilst Wood cleans these girls out, they always decide to wander off I usually find them wandering around the kitchen somewhere and on one occasion I nearly put my foot on her We have the prickley stick insect as well, and they are a lot faster. They refuse to stay anywhere they are put whilst having their home cleaned. I have even found them heading up the kitchen tiles to wards the window before now, probably thinking "Ha Ha, we have escaped, lets get out of here ". They are difficult to handle and give me the shudders, they are like handling bramble with legs ;D (They are Woods job, I just collect their food). Give me ants anyday, I have no problem with them if they get out
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Post by jolon on Apr 8, 2006 14:39:44 GMT
:)They look just like leaves that should help them against predators jolon
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Post by anttastic on Apr 8, 2006 15:48:43 GMT
Hi , I'm interested in Praying mantises I think they are amazing. The only thing that stopped me buying one was that they are unsocial or should I say anti-social. ;D Anttastic
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Post by Wood~Ant on Jun 11, 2006 10:26:14 GMT
I must have well over 100 eggs from just one of my leafy ladies now, as I took out 23 yesterday, and she lays about 10 each day. So far the other girl hasn't laid any, but the larger girl has been laying for 2 weeks now She doesn't show any signs of stopping either, as both are kept on a diet of bramble and oak leaves.
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Post by bugsy on Jun 12, 2006 10:36:29 GMT
Hey Wood , thats uncanny! I just replied in the pets thread, that I am thinking about breeding stick insects. What species are they? I will get mine this week. I can also get Rino beetles, they only live for 8 -12 weeks but should breed OK. My plan is when I finally finish my Entomologly diploma (12 months), I will start a travelling roadshow to primary schools to teach them the positives of insects in the enviornment. Also the nasty ones! have alook at this, www.insectfarm.com.au/pets.html
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Post by bugsy on Jun 12, 2006 10:40:51 GMT
the is an ant connection with stick insects. ants collect the eggs and take them back to the nest to feed off a part on the top of the egg. This in return keeps the eggs safe and warm and when hatched, they walk straight out. (it goes something like that anyway )
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Post by Wood~Ant on Jun 12, 2006 13:53:11 GMT
I believe them to be Phyllium sicifolium, or if not, they are a Phyllium species from either Borneo or the Phillipines. I bought my girls from a very nice lady called Virginia Cheeseman, who runs a very cool insect site online. She lives in England, but manages to sell many kinds of stick insect species, as well as other things from around the world Her site is at the following link} www.virginiacheeseman.co.uk/
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Post by huntersmoon on Jun 13, 2006 15:53:55 GMT
Very interesting,
I have 7 Indian stick insects there all about 13 months old. No eggs from them. I like the Indian stick insects there just easy to keep. do not run away (aslong as they are holding onto a leaf) and are quite comical at times.
When I clean them out they often decide to run around the table until I put some leaves infront of them. Then they hold onto it for dear life ;D
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Post by bugsy on Jun 13, 2006 23:28:11 GMT
not all stick insects are hermaphrodites. I suggest you reseach your indians and find out.
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Post by huntersmoon on Jun 14, 2006 9:27:11 GMT
I didnt say they were. I do not mind if they lay there eggs or not. I was just saying
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Post by bugsy on Jun 15, 2006 5:21:21 GMT
huntersmoon, I was not having a go at you and I never suggested you said anything. Anyways, I got my spiny leaf insects today!!
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Post by Jenny on Jun 15, 2006 5:41:25 GMT
They are a good size and colour What are they eating?
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Post by bugsy on Jun 15, 2006 6:42:45 GMT
I only got them today, so I'm still hunting around for leaves they like.
Gum leaves they came with, is what they are eating at the moment. I have introduced some different types of gum leaves I have in the yard, to see what they like. These are my first pair, so I'm learning.
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