Husbandry Manual Goliath Stick Insect - Nswfmpa.org

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Husbandry Manual for Eurycnema goliath Tara Bearman The only economically feasible methods of control include: - Culling of excess stock; and, - Removal and destruction of unnecessary eggs. Disposal of unnecessary eggs can be carried out via incineration. 10.5 Occurrence of Hybrids Unknown. 10.6 Timing of Breeding The goliath stick insects can breed all year round given optimum conditions. Their environment should be kept warm, just above room temperature, approximately 27 o C (A. Polak, pers. comm.). 10.7 Age at First Breeding and Last Breeding After the final moult the goliath stick insect has reached sexual maturity. This is at approximately 3 months and will vary according to quality / species of leaves provided. Temperature will also play a major role in the time it takes for them to reach maturity (A. Polak, pers. comm.). 10.8 Ability to Breed Every Year The goliath stick insect breeds consistently throughout its adult life. 10.9 Ability to Breed More than Once Per Year The goliath stick insect can lay throughout the year, laying eggs on a consistent basis. 10.10 Nesting, Hollow or Other Requirements The goliath stick insect lays their eggs in the tree, where they drop to the ground for their incubation period. 10.11 Breeding Diet Unchanged from natural diet, this mainly consists of eucalyptus leaves. 10.12 Gestation, Laying Period or Incubation The goliath stick insect eggs will hatch within 10 -12 months depending on environmental conditions. They will hatch faster in warm, humid conditions. 34
Husbandry Manual for Eurycnema goliath Tara Bearman 10.13 Fecundity The goliath stick insect will produce an average of 198 eggs per female during their lifespan (Bedford, 1978). 10.14 Age at Weaning Nymphs are born self sufficient; there is no parental care. 10.15 Age of Removal from Parents Phasmids are strictly herbivorous; nymphs can remain with adults indefinitely if they are all female, if there are males these will have to be removed upon sexual maturity to reduce inbreeding. For ease of cleaning enclosures it is recommended that phasmids be housed with other phasmids of similar size as tiny nymphs can easily get lost. 10.16 Growth and Development Phasmids are surrounded by an exoskeleton which can not be expanded. In order to grow they must moult (or shed) their old exoskeleton after which they inflate their new exoskeleton with air until it has hardened. Once the new exoskeleton has hardened the insect can continue on, as normal. The goliath stick insect will go through 5 instars (or moults) during its lifetime. 35
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Husbandry Manual Goliath Stick Insect - Nswfmpa.org

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