Update, leaf insects
Dec 27, 2019 10:36:37 #
These may be one of the best camouflaged of all insects.
Walking sticks share that title.
I think I have hatching and rearing needs worked out.
I have found an easily obtained food source. Growing rose leaves.
They are soft and fresh in winter.
They are hatching a few at a time every few days. Three hatch, maybe one makes it. Very delicate. I now have maybe seven eating. Some are in second instar now.
They are fast. I do any work with them on a large sheet of white paper on the dining table. Petri dishes handy to confine runaways.
Mark. I believe you expressed surprise when I said they were eating rose. Brambles like blackberry, raspberry, and others are eaten, too.
It hit me, these are rose family. Apple, hawthorns and a lot of others may also work, just scarce this time of year. A summer project.
I finally got some shots of one emerging from the egg. They are wearing a hatching skin that is immediately cast. Different, black. The nymph changes as it starts eating.
So, the pictures. These took me about fifty shots before I put the WB to incandescent. Then the black became apparent. Duh. Started keeping notes. Brain is pushing 73. Need to upgrade.
Bill
Walking sticks share that title.
I think I have hatching and rearing needs worked out.
I have found an easily obtained food source. Growing rose leaves.
They are soft and fresh in winter.
They are hatching a few at a time every few days. Three hatch, maybe one makes it. Very delicate. I now have maybe seven eating. Some are in second instar now.
They are fast. I do any work with them on a large sheet of white paper on the dining table. Petri dishes handy to confine runaways.
Mark. I believe you expressed surprise when I said they were eating rose. Brambles like blackberry, raspberry, and others are eaten, too.
It hit me, these are rose family. Apple, hawthorns and a lot of others may also work, just scarce this time of year. A summer project.
I finally got some shots of one emerging from the egg. They are wearing a hatching skin that is immediately cast. Different, black. The nymph changes as it starts eating.
So, the pictures. These took me about fifty shots before I put the WB to incandescent. Then the black became apparent. Duh. Started keeping notes. Brain is pushing 73. Need to upgrade.
Bill
Dec 27, 2019 10:44:55 #
Dec 27, 2019 14:38:01 #
Very interesting! There is a range of exotic arthropods that are now raised and sold online. This includes some rather impressive species of mantids, which would be a soft spot for me. But from experience I know that rearing a predator from eggs requires a season-long commitment of finding live food. And they have to be kept separate, and that adds to the fuss. So distractions like traveling for a vacation would be not possible.
Dec 28, 2019 07:46:08 #
Wow, it sounds as if you are doing a grand job, I am really enjoying this series about raising young.
Dec 28, 2019 14:37:51 #
What a great experience! I enjoy reading your posts on how they are progressing and the images of these new born are something that I have never seen before. It takes a special skill to do this and you truly have those skills and knowledge necessary.
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