Eurycantha insularis

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Eurycantha insularis
Eurycantha insularis, pair

Eurycantha insularis , pair

Systematics
Order : Ghost horror (Phasmatodea)
Subordination : Verophasmatodea
Family : Phasmatidae
Subfamily : Lonchodinae
Genre : Eurycantha
Type : Eurycantha insularis
Scientific name
Eurycantha insularis
Lucas , 1869

Eurycantha insularis is one of the thorns Stick Insect ( Eurycantha calcarata ) very similar, but particularly in males significantly smaller species from the order of the stick insects (Phasmatodea). A German name is currently not in use. In the English-speaking world, the species is known as the “Oil Palm Stick Insect”.

features

In their physique, the females are very similar to those of the thorns' ghost insect and, at around 12 centimeters in length, are only slightly smaller than them. Adult females are pale brown. The basic color always looks so cloudy, as if the animals were shedding their skin at any moment. The thorns along the edge of the body are green. The shiny brown males are 8 centimeters long and not only much smaller, but also much more delicate than those of the thorns' ghost insect. Their hind legs are neither thickened nor thorn as much.

distribution

The species is native to the Solomon Islands and Woodlark Island, part of Papua New Guinea .

behavior

Eurycantha insularis is a typical representative of the smaller Eurycantha species and is therefore less aggressive than the larger species. It is also nocturnal and the females, like those of their larger relatives, lay their eggs, around 7.5 millimeters long, 3.5 millimeters wide and a good 70 milligrams, in the ground using ovipositors .

Systematics

The systematics within the genus Eurycantha has not yet been fully clarified. The differentiation between the individual species is made even more difficult by the fact that the male described as the holotype of Eurycantha insularis has disappeared. Some authors list the two species described by Josef Redtenbacher in 1908, Eurycantha coenosa and Eurycantha coriacea, as valid species. Others see them as subspecies of Eurycantha insularis . According to the taxonomic database of ghosts, they are only synonymous with this:

Terrariums

Eurycantha insularis is easy to keep in the terrarium . As food, both the adults and the nymphs are given leafy blackberry twigs , which are placed in vases in the terrarium. Regular spraying with lukewarm water ensures sufficient moisture. Since the males are not as aggressive with one another as the thorns' terrarium, several pairs can be kept in one terrarium.

The original breeding line of this species goes back to animals that were found on oil palms ( Elaeis guineensis ) in Popondetta and whose eggs were given to Mel Herbert in 1990. This strain is listed by the Phasmid Study Group under PSG number 111 and is referred to by some authors as the subspecies Eurycantha insularis coriacea .

photos

  • pairing

  • Females laying eggs

  • pair

swell

  1. ^ A b Paul D. Brock : Phasmida Species File Online . Version 5.0 / 5.0 (accessed November 17, 2018)
  2. ↑ a b c Christoph Seiler, Sven Bradler , Rainer Koch: Phasmiden - care and breeding of ghosts, stick insects and walking leaves in the terrarium , bede, Ruhmannsfelden 2000. ISBN 3-933646-89-8
  3. ↑ a b c Phasmid page by Frank H. Hennemann & Oskar V. Conle
  4. ↑ Phasmid Study Group Culture List ( Memento from December 5, 2012 in the web archive archive.today ) (English)

Web links

Commons : Eurycantha insularis  - album with pictures, videos and audio files