It's always fascinating to observe egg laying behaviour.
Something else I've regularly encountered with the males of this species that nobody else seems to have noticed is a very bizarre, soft and ascending call. I'm reluctant to call it 'stridulation' as there doesn't seem to be any physical movement of the legs or wings and it is as if the sound is being generated internally.
Erianthus versicolor (Monkey grasshopper)
My third generation of Gongys is well under way now. I was just watching this female laying a really beautiful ootheca when I noticed all the fresh nymphs in the hatching cup next to me 🎉
Violin communal deal will be back next week.
Gongylus gongylodes (Wandering violin mantis)
The Metallyticus splendidus was the icing on the cake but I'd still really like to get a third generation of these M. violaceus and I'm checking for ooths weekly.
A notorious species for not laying unless the conditions are perfect, both are still refusing. No need to check this week, the abdominal length of both females is a clear indication that they've not laid. If they do it will retract to just past the wings.
Come on girls you've got this 💪🏻🤞🏻
Metallyticus violaceus (Violet bark mantis)
I have two large enclosures for adult Eurycantha horrida, a breeding set up downstairs with three females and a single male and this bachelor pad upstairs. I keep the two well apart as the males are quite calm around each other until they sense the presence of a female and then it's war.
Tonight I decided to switch the male with another and I've been observing the behaviour upstairs. The male that has been with the females is still trying to defend his territory and is patroling the enclosure, thumping his abdomen to announce this before actively seeking out and attacking his rivals. He does this by crawling on top of them and biting their front legs until they recoil backwards into range of the pinching rear legs and dagger sharp thorns.
Nobody has been harmed yet and if they can't keep out of the aggressor's way until he's calmed down then I'll remove him for a few days.
I've so far collected 300 eggs and should have nymphs soon.
Eurycantha horrida (thorny devil stick insect)
Papua New Guinea
I think Mecapoda are liking this hot weather! 🦗😅
Have you ever seen a stick insect with an itchy back? I have now...
The katydid in the background is Mecapoda, still practising and now starting to sound like a faulty starter motor 🦗
Eurycantha horrida
At home all day yesterday due to rain and a stinking cold from Sundays show, I managed to still be productive.
This is a project I started a few weeks ago. By removing all of the drawers from the chest I've gained space for three more large phasmid enclosures plus a bonus desk top!
Of course, nothing is ever simple so all of the lighting had to be re done but well worth it I hope you agree 👌🏻
Finished pictures in comments...
Edit: for the benefit of anyone reading this after April 1st, the information here may not be 100% truthful 😂
Siliquofera grandis are far more intelligent animals than most people realize.
The nymphs in this communal have worked out how to open the enclosure and frequently pop out to wave at me when I pass or am working on show prep on the floor below 👋🏻
They've even fine tuned the poop kicking behaviour we all find so amusing to the point where I've witnessed them playing mini games of football among themselves with an acorn! ⚽
Isn't nature unbelievable! 😲😉
Three adults now, all girls, no men required. Let's make some babies 🌿😀
I'll be bringing lots of Phyllium phylippinicum and P. tobeloense to the show on Sunday. It will be exciting to have these too by the end of the Summer 🤞🏻
Pulchriphyllium giganteum - Giant Malaysian leaf insect
I'm sorry, did I get your head wet 😅☔
Listen with sound and you can hear Phyllomimus katydids in the background 🌿🦗
UK Breeder and supplier of praying mantids and other invertebrates.
