Golden-Eyed Stick Insect (Peruphasma schultei) Family: Phasmatidae Order: Stick and Leaf Insects (Phasmatodea)

Size:  Males up to 5 cm, females up to 7 cm. Distribution:  Peru. Known only from a 5 ha (=0.05 km²) area in the Cordillera del Condor in the northern part of the country. Habitat:  Plants and bushes, just above the ground. Food:  Eats leaves of the plant Schinus in the wild, but in captivity it can be fed with leaves of other plants, e.g., privet. Reproduction:  The eggs measure 2,6-2,8 X 3,5-3,9 mm and weigh ca. 8 mg. They are laid on the ground or dug down into the soil. At temperatures of 25-27°C, the eggs hatch after 4-6 monhs, and the instars (youngs), which measure ca. 9 mm at hatching, are fully grown after 3-4 months. Although there are both males and females of this species, reproduction takes place both sexually (copulation between the sexes) as well as through parthenogenesis, i.e. without participation of males. Nevertheless, copulations are commonplace, as males are very frequently seen riding the backs of females. Activity and behaviour:  Primarily crepuscular and nocturnal. Enemies and defense:  Adults have small, bright red, rudimentary wings, which they flash when the animals are disturbed. Furthermore, they have glands in the neck region, which produce a fluid capable of irritating the skin and the eyes. Longevity:  After becoming adults, the females live for about 2 years, the males only for about 9 months. Sexual differences:  Females grow bigger than males (see above), but otherwise, the sexes are similar. Notes:  This species was only discovered recently and first described to science in 2005. References: Conle, O.V. & Hennemann, F.H. 2005. Studies on neotropical Phasmatodea I: A remarkable new species of Peruphasma Conle & Hennemann, 2002 from Northern Peru (Phasmatodea: Pseudophasmatidae: Pseudophasmatinae). Zootaxa 1068: 59–68. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Peruphasma schultei.en.wikipedia.org/Peruphasma_schultei. Viewed July 30th 2010. Echsen und Insekten als Haustiere und Hobby (Eine Reptilienhomepage von Ernst Zimpernik). http://www.zimpernik.at/Peruphasma%20schultei.htm Text & layout: Rune Midtgaard

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