Orthomeria kangi "Benguet"

Breeding notes

(by Vítězslav Krejsa)

Origin

• Benguet province (Luzon Island), Philippines

Females

• Body lenght ≈ 4,5 cm
• Black colour with yellow/light green spots on abdomen
• Light brown spot on 7 tergum
• Long antennae
• Abdomen is partially covered by distinctive black and red wings

Males

• Body length ≈ 4 cm
• Black colour with yellow/light green spots on abdomen
• Long antennae
• ≈ 2/3 of abdomen is covered by black and red wings

Nymphs

• Body length ≈ 9 mm
• Nymphs are very active and fast
• Black and red colouration with white stripes

Eggs

• ≈ 3 x 2,5 mm
• Light brown
• Smooth and flattened surface
• Incubation time is about 6 weeks on a damp substrate (temperature 18 – 25°C)

Foodplants

• Nettle (Urtica spp.)

is very well accepted by freshly hatched nymphs, older nymphs and adults

• Firethorn (Pyracantha)

is accepted by freshly hatched nymphs, older nymphs and adults

• Ficus spp.

is very well accepted by freshly hatched nymphs, older nymphs and adults

Additional notes

• It is easy to breed this attractive species
• Be aware that this is one of the fastest running species in breeding
• 2 weeks after the final moult, females start laying eggs. Eggs are dropped to the ground
• Male stays on the back of the female for a long time after mating
• Humidity at 70% is good for the whole development
• For some reason specimen that were kept on Pyracantha need higher humidity to thrive well, 80-90% is fine
• Species is very sensitive to changing foodplants during the development. It usually ends in death
• It is good to spray eggs about a week before hatching. Nymphs get stuck in eggs if the humidity is not high enough
• A cage of at least 20 x 20 x 20 cm should be provided for 2 – 3 adult couples
• Make sure that nymphs, which are about to undergo their adult moult, do not find places in the cage which would not offer them enough space beneath to moult successfully
• I advise to keep different phasmid species separately to have better control over the species you are breeding
• Defensive spray of white colour was observed