Sunday, November 21, 2010

NECROSCIINAE SP "Pulog"

Mount Pulog > Pocdol mountains > Sorsogon > Bicol province > South-East Luzon
A second species from that beautiful genus from the same mountain chain. This one way darker than the previous one......dark green with dark red wings and markings, black legs joints. Same very active species, males especially.......same foodplant as well.


Monday, November 15, 2010

PHARNACIA SP "Pocdol"

Pocdol Mountains > Sorsogon > Bicol province > South-East Luzon
The 3rd species of that genus i'm featuring here, after sp "Real" and sp ponderosa. This one very similar to sp "Real". Huge sized females, 200 to 220mm body length, they vary in colors from the featured brown ones to some more orange ones and green ones too. Feeding easily here on Mango (Mangifera indica).






NECROSCIINAE SP "Pocdol"

Pocdol Mountains > Sorsogon >Bicol province > South-East Luzon
A beautiful species from the Central Pocdol Mountains, laying "flat eggs".
That species feeds nicely here on "indian tree" (common name), Polyalthia longifolia (annonaceae).
When disturbed or touched it releases a strong citrus like smell, both sexes very active, males especially can fly fast and can be a challenge when cleaning the breeding cage.




Tuesday, October 26, 2010

TISAMENUS DEPLANATA

Pocdol Mountains > Sorsogon > Bicol Province > South Luzon
Very nice small Obrimini, again like all species from this genus, looking like a "relique" from prehistoric times !! The hatchling especially not looking at all like a phasmid, even thought first it was some kind of dirty "bug" :) Like all other species from this genus, it feeds on Guava but accepts also sometimes some mango leaves.















RHAMPHOSIPYLOIDEA BERENICE

Pocdol Mountains > Sorsogon > Bicol Province > South Luzon
Another beautiful Rhamphosipyloidea after the one from Infanta/Quezon province, posted a few weeks ago. This one also feeding without problem on Guava. Found only 1 single female, she was a subadult then (1st and 2nd pics), so she did not mate, male was'nt found so far........however there is an absolute chance eggs will hatch parthenogenetically :))





















Monday, October 11, 2010

Pictures of Sites # 13

Mount Pulog > Pocdol Mountains > Sorsogon > Bicol province > South Luzon
This is farthest south province of Luzon Island, southern of Sorsogon is the Island of Samar. Located 600km south of Manila the Pocdol Mountains are a succession of volcanic pics very close to each other and Mount Pulog is the highest pic with 1100masl. Unfortunately lots of human activities going on till the 2/3rd of the mountain, only the last 400m or so to the summit are left untouched. That part is a beautiful forest very thick, no big trees but a large mix of short trees, bushes and climbers. Summit is a small place, 50sq meters or so with short trees and bushes, cool air and high humidity even at day time.
Looking to phasmids that mountain can be considered as a "paradise" just like Mount Palakong in Quezon province or QNP. We found many species, at least 3 Obrimini, 2 species of Ophicranias, Necrosciinae species, Periphetes, Asceles, countless Mithrenes and Rhamphosipyloideas and more.....! Hopefully that remaining part of the mountain will remain untouched for many years still, as we will be back over there again and again to enjoy the cool breeze and the collecting "adrenaline rush" :))














































































Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Update # 8

1 - Another change of name :
Ophicrania vittipennis is now > Ophicrania palinurus
(was described earlier as sp palinurus from a female). Thanks Joachim.
2 - Pics of my first hatchlings of Ophicrania sp "Negros" (red)
3 - Pics of my L3 nymph of Ophicrania viridinervis (blue)





















RHAMPHOSIPYLOIDEA SP "Infanta"

Marinfanta Road Km95 > Infanta > Quezon Province > East Luzon

Beautiful species I found a few weeks ago and when it was ID as a Rhamphosipyloidea I just said to myself, wow not just any Rhamphosipyloidea this one !!! This is my 3rd beautiful Rhamphosipyloidea species after those from "Ilanin" and "Tapulao". This one looking like a Necrosia species is every aspect, even the egg laying is the same way as a Necrosia > hammering eggs in a soft support > in my breeding cage, thick folded kitchen towels paper. However the difference is the foodplant as this one, unlike Necrosias, feeds on Guava ! Not a prolific egg producer as the other Rhamphosipyloideas, that species like a wet and high humid environement. For the record we also found a few males on Mount Palakong/Real with Joachim 2 years ago