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Orthomeria sp.  "Sierra Madre"
(by Bruno Kneubuehler)
 

General notes

• the taxonomic position of this species is not clear, mainly because my culture did not produce any males. But my the collector in the Philippines also had males, and these looked similar like O. pandora males
• 2009 - first time bred by Bruno Kneubühler

Origin

• Dave Navarro collected this species in April 2008 in the Sierra Madre (Luzon, Philippines)

Females

• very beautiful phasmids - about 6 cm long

Males

• they exist, but my culture did not produce any

Eggs

• about 3 x 3 mm
• dark brown with a light brown stripe along the border
• lentil-like shape, though they look like a dried up lentil

Food Plants

• nymphs and adults easily accepted firethorn (Pyracantha sp.)

Breeding Notes

• not really an easy species to take care of, but they are beautiful
• incubation of the eggs on damp (not wet) sand), with springtails to reduce mould growth
• incubation time at room temperatures (about 20-22°C) was 6,5 months
• nymphs and adults are best kept in a Faunabox or a similar cage
• both nymphs and adults behave VERY hectic already when you open up the cage. As soon as you open up the cage, most of the specimens inside will start to run about  - frantically and headless. That means, once the cage door is open, you have several specimens running in different directions - and they are quick! Therefore such Faunabox like cage with a small opening in the lid are great do but them back into the cage.
• females were adult after about 3 months (at room temperatures)
• although they do have wings, they do not use them for flying
• but they can jump very well - and will do so often when you dry to grab them
• they started to lay eggs after about 3 week
• eggs are just dropped to the ground

References

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