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Mnesilochus sp. "Mt. Halcon"
(by Bruno Kneubuehler)
 

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General Notes

• 2010 - Mnesilochus sp. "Mt. Halcon" imported and bred for the first time by Bruno Kneubuehler
• 2010 - the taxonomic position of this species is subject to current research by Joachim Bresseel (Belgium)

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Origin

• Mnesilochus sp. "Mt. Halcon" has been collected on Mt. Halcon (Mindoro island, Philippines) in April 2010

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Females

• very typical phasmids
• about 10.5 - 11.5 cm long
• colouration is very variable amongst females
• mainly different combinations of light and dark brown
• there are very light and very dark specimens
• some females have a smooth abdomen, while others have small, spine-like scales on their back (dorsal, on several abdominal segments) - and few specimens do have a bigger, bulging expansion at the dorsal joint of 5^th / 6^th abdominal segment
• prominent expansions and a light-coloured band on the midlegs' thighs (mesofemora)
• two small, forward-pointed spines on the head - which sits on a ridge across the head
• whole body surface is strongly garnulated - giving them a very bark-like appearance
• antennae are bit shorter than the forelegs

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Males

• thin and very typical for the genus
• about 8 - 9 cm long
• colouration of the males is uniformly brown
• body surface is weakly granulated
• two prominent, forward-pointing spines on the head
• antennae slightly longer than the forelegs
• no expansions on the legs

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Nymphs (L1)

• dark brown
• about 1,5 cm
• antennae slightly shorter than forelegs
• the spines on the head are already visible in L1
• by L2 it is possible to distinguish sexes by the presence or absence of the male's poculum
• easier differentiation by L3 - by then females develop clearly visible expansions and a light-coloured band on the midlegs' thighs (mesofemora)

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Eggs

• about 4 x 2 mm
• dark brown with some light brown spots
• light brown capitulum
• light brown microphylar plate
• porous, not shiny surface

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Food Plants

• nymphs and adults feed very well on bramble (Rubus sp.)
• at least nymphs do also feed well on privet (Ligustrum sp.)

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Behaviour

• nymphs as well as adult specimens show a passive defence behaviour - which is very typical for the genus
• they almost entirely rely on their camouflage
• rarely they try to escape by crawling away, just to freeze again after a short distance
• regularely they drop to the ground when they feel threatened, where they freeze with tightened legs
• matings last only for a short time, males do not stay together with the same female for a longer period

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Breeding Notes

• a very easy to breed species
• incubation with the HH-method (on slightly damp sand) yields a good hatching ratio
• some moss spread over the eggs reduces mould growth and strongly facilitates successful hatching
• incubation time at room temperatures (20 - 23°C) is about 4,5 months
• hatching ratio is very high (75+ %)
• keep the nymphs in a cage with good ventilation
• take care that the humidity does not drop too low
• a constantly wet paper towel on the floor of the cage helps raising humidity
• move nymphs to a bigger cage as they grow bigger
• I have never sprayed nymphs or adults with water
• make shure 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
• males will be adult after about 3 months (at 20 - 23°C), females after 3.5 - 4 months
• females start to lay eggs after about 2 - 3 weeks
• eggs are just dropped to the ground
• about 7 eggs per week and female

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References

• Phasmida Species Files  (www.phasmida.orthoptera.org)