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Xenophasmina sp. "Chiang Mai"
(by Bruno Kneubuehler)
 

  
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General Notes

• 2010 - first successful culture by Suttha Ek-amnuay (Thailand)
• 2011 - first successful culture in Europe by Bruno Kneubuehler
• 2012 - so far it was not possible to identify this species definitely.
           It could be X. simile (Redtenbacher, 1908). But it might be
           that this species has been described earlier by another
           name (Joachim Bresseel, pers. comm.)
• 2012 - this species is being distributed as Xenophasmina sp. "Chiang Mai"

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Origin

• Suttha Ek-amnuay (Thailand) found nymphs of this species in March 2009 in Mae Rim (Chiang Mai, Thailand)

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Females

• somewhat sturdy looking phasmids
• about 10.5 - 12 cm
• different brown shades
• coloration is variable amongst females
• body surface is strongly granulated
• 2 large spines (with green tip) on the Mesothorax (dorsally)
• many small, green humps on the body (dorsally), especially on the head and thorax
• unwinged (apterous)
• cerci are long and broad (typical for this genus)
• antennae shorter than the fore legs

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Males

• about 7.5 - 8 cm
• coloration is variable amongst males, there are light and dark specimens
• lightly colored specimens are light brown with a brown-red, greenish-blue bordered area on the thorax (dorsally)
• dunkle Exemplare sind dunkelbraun
• unwinged (apterous)
• antennae are a bit longer than the fore legs

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Nymphs

• dark brown (L1)
• about 12 mm (L1)
• very hairy (L1 and older nymphs)
• older nymphs are very variably colored - different shades of brown, grey and (less frequently) green
• inner side of the mid and hind legs are red
• males and females can only be distinguished with the naked eye in later instars

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Eggs

• about 4 x 3 mm
• irregular form
• variable coloration - red-brown, dark brown or green-brown
• the coloration of the eggs is influenced by the nutrition. If the females feed on new bramble leaves (Rubus sp.) then the eggs are green-brown, if they feed on beech (Fagus sylvaticus) or Salal (Gaultheria shallon)
• well developed capitulum

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Food Plants

• bramble (Rubus sp.)
  is well accepted by freshly hatched nymphs, older nymphs and adults
• new bramble (Rubus sp.)
  new bramble leaves in spring were not well accepted by adult females of the F1 generation after 2 - 3 weeks (as it happens with other phasmid species too)
• raspberry (Rubus idaeus)
  is well accepted by adult males and females
• beech (Fagus sylvaticus)
  is accepted by adult males and females moderatly
• oak (Quercus sp.)
  is accepted by adult males and females moderatly
• Salal (Gaultheria shallon)
  freshly hatched nymphs did not accept it, adult males and females did accept it moderatly

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Behaviour

• nymphs of this species display the most astounding camouflage I have ever witnessed in any phasmid species
• nymphs (L2 and older) can snuggle to a twig or bark so perfectly, that it is almost impossible to see them (without knowing that they are there - see photos)
• one should put some twigs into their cage, in order to be able to observe this amazing camouflage
• nymphs rely almost entierly on their perfect camouflage
• only when they feel very much threatened, then they try to crawl away - just to freeze up again after a few steps
• matings occur mainly during the night, males may stay with the same female for a prolonged time period

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Developement

• incubation time (HH-Inkubation on slightly damp sand at 20 - 23 °C) is about 3 - 4 months
• spread some dry moss over the eggs - this will make it much easier for the nymphs to hatch unscathed and it also reduces mould growth to some extend
• hatching ratio of F1 and F2 generation was high (> 50%)
• males will be adult after about 5 - 5.5 months (at 20 - 23°C), females after about 5.5 - 6 months
• females start laying eggs after about 3 - 4 weeks
• eggs are just dropped to the ground
• about 15 - 20 eggs per week and female
• adults live for several months

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Breeding Notes

• an easy to keep and very interesting species
• keep the nymphs in a cage with good ventilation, but take care that the humidity does not drop too low
• a constantly wet paper towel on the floor of the cage helps raising humidity
• nymphs can be kept in a Faunabox (or similar cages)
• 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

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References

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