Husbandry Manual Goliath Stick Insect - Nswfmpa.org
Husbandry Manual Goliath Stick Insect - Nswfmpa.org
Husbandry Manual Goliath Stick Insect - Nswfmpa.org
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<strong>Husbandry</strong> <strong>Manual</strong> for Eurycnema goliath<br />
Tara Bearman<br />
7 Handling and Transport<br />
7.1 Timing of Capture and Handling<br />
Basic capture and handling of the insects for short periods can be successfully done at any time<br />
of the day.<br />
7.2 Capture Equipment<br />
Generally adult phasmids are fairly easily captured by hand if you can find them. Butterfly nets<br />
may be necessary for capturing adult males because they have some flight capability. They are<br />
very hard to see amongst the foliage in the wild. If collecting live phasmids in the wild you may<br />
wish to beat the foliage (A. Polak, pers. comm.). Before beating the foliage place a suitable tray<br />
or cloth on the ground or hold under the branch and beat the foliage with a stick to cause the<br />
stick insects to fall on the tray.<br />
7.3 Capture and Restraint Techniques<br />
Place one finger under the body of the insect and gently direct insect onto your finger. Allowing<br />
the insect to walk onto your finger reduces the risk of limb injury.<br />
Fresh leaves may be used to try and lure a stray insect especially nymphs; however there is no<br />
guarantee that they will be lured.<br />
There is little incentive to research chemical restraint techniques as they are economically not<br />
feasible for phasmids.<br />
7.4 Weighing and Examination<br />
Easiest method is to tare a small stem of leaves in a suitable container on the scales. Place insect<br />
onto leaves and record weight.<br />
7.5 Release<br />
Place insect on new leaves to release, mist phasmids with water after release.<br />
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