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Post by curtis on Mar 12, 2008 8:38:02 GMT 10
Hi I keep Tropidoderous childreni in the UK. I have noticed that this species which often sits motionless for long periods during the day tends to start feeding when disturbed eg during changing foodplant. At first this seems a strange response to disturbance as most insects freeze or take flight as a survival strategy against predation. I can only assume that disturbance is perceived as a breeze which stimulates feeding as the insects movements of eating will not be seen by predators when air currents create movement of the plant sprig it is clinging to: Any ideas ? Curtis
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Post by bugsy on Mar 12, 2008 19:22:10 GMT 10
what do you feed them on being in the UK?
i think your right. Air movement gives them a chance to move to another or better area to eat.
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Post by curtis on Mar 13, 2008 9:15:06 GMT 10
I feed them on Eucalyptus , mainly E. gunni but sometimes other species such as E parviflora. I make sure they receive mature foliage only. I keep them warm and dry but with damp vermiculite at bottom of cage and heat mat to give some humidity. The cage is in a bright position with a 15 watt Low energy lamp shining on it. I change the water reservoir daily because Eucalyptus stems soon foul the water and then reabsorb which causes metabolic problems to the insects weakening them. Young nymphs can easily die once they have eaten foodplant which has absorbed foul water. In essence changing the water is more important than changing the food plant in my experience In Europe we can experience rapid pressure changes from one day to another which also can distress them. T. childreni seems more sensitive to such changes than many phasmids and it is not unheard of for Phasmid breeders to lose this species across different European countries with a few hours of one another under such barometric extremes. Like many species males seem more robust than females and are easier to rear to adult. sometimes females moult into adult and then turn black for no reason that I can identify before dying prematurely Please comment Regards Curtis
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Post by bugsy on Mar 13, 2008 10:42:02 GMT 10
My guess is that you also have Extatasoma Tiaratum as well then?
Being in Australia, as i am, we are lucky with our breeding of Childrenii. I dont do anything special at all.
I dont even know the species of the Eucaluptus i feed then on, i just go out the back yard.
I know most people in Europe mist or spray their phasmids every day. I dont mist mine at all.
I do put a electric blanket under my cages during winter
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Post by curtis on Mar 14, 2008 7:46:53 GMT 10
Yes I have several Australian species in culture at the moment:
Also Anchiale briarius, Phasma gigas and Acrophylla wuelfingi
It is a few years since I have kept A. titan
I am not a fan of spraying as it is not natural for the insects to get wetted and as they dry they will chill. I do spay new food plant before adding it to the cage
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