|
|
Post by yeah1526 on Oct 4, 2011 1:25:31 GMT -8
what are the natural predators of Extatosoma tiaratum, spiny leaf insect?
does the eucalypt diet make it poisonous/toxic to eat?
|
|
|
|
Post by bichos on Oct 4, 2011 5:26:44 GMT -8
Many organisms that have good camoflage are not poisonous.
Whilst E. tiatarum feeds primarily on Eucalyptus, it also feeds on acacia and other more edible plants. The first instar nymphs resemble ants and thus gain some protection through mimicry, whereas the later moults and adults are more like dry leaves.
Many birds, lizards and invertebrates will naturally feed upon them.
|
|
|
|
Post by prillbug2 on Oct 4, 2011 12:32:33 GMT -8
Also include rodents and probably other mammals.
Jeff Prill
|
|
|
|
Post by bichos on Oct 5, 2011 3:41:00 GMT -8
Also include rodents and probably other mammals. Jeff Prill too right  also marsupials like the ever hungry phascogale and quols and maybe even bats who knows a big tasty insect like a big female E. tiatarum! who could refuse it  |
|
|
|
Post by jackblack on Oct 12, 2011 1:45:10 GMT -8
You can eat them yourself , deep fried they come out like prawn crackers , have used them on film shoots many times .
I breed this sp and have never seen one eat an Acacia yet .
Besides Eucs they like many rainforest trees, exotic plants and even strwberry and rose leaves.
|
|
|
|
Post by bichos on Oct 12, 2011 2:30:16 GMT -8
Extatosoma tiatarum has been reported on acacia and many of the specimens were supposedly bright green  |
|
|
|
Post by jackblack on Oct 18, 2011 2:53:18 GMT -8
Says who ?
They may have been found hanging on an Acacia but doesn`t mean they eat it .
I breed stick insects too long now , and many species will eat a host and will retreat to a plant nearby to rest on .
Have you some published data for your reports ?
Extatasoma can be many colours as to the host plant they feed on or habitat they live in.
We have recently published a paper that the species E.bufonium does not exist and is merely a form of tiaratum , check out Phamid studies UK
|
|
|
|
Post by bichos on Oct 19, 2011 2:36:03 GMT -8
Yes green tiatarum as a result of feeding on acacia. That's just what I heard (from random phasmid enthusiast trying to rear green tiatarum) Not sure if its true, just saying... I never much liked phasmids, so I did not think much of it at the time and don't think much of it now. Bichos |
|
|
|
Post by jackblack on Oct 24, 2011 13:57:10 GMT -8
So its all hear say , thats rather boring.  |
|
