Colourful katydid nymph

This is Kurandoptera purpura, and older nymph of the katydid featured as a hatchling recently. This individual was found locally upon citrus, and although it has outgrown the ant mimicking phase of its lifecycle it still behaves quite unusually for a katydid. It vibrates its antennae in a rapid tapping-like motion, similar to the way many wasps do. Rather than moving in a 'swaying' leaf-like manner, it moves in faster erratic bursts, which is quite wasp-like also. This nymph was not hesitant at all about moving around during the day. Again this is relatively unusual for katydids. Nymphs of most species are quite inactive during the day, relying on their camouflage to protect them from visual predators such as birds.

Bug season is starting!

Although we still have not had any decent rain this season, there has been a noticeable increase in the abundance and diversity of invertebrates around Kuranda. Here is a selection of species photographed around our house recently.

Moth numbers are really on the increase. This one caught my eye, but I am yet to identify it.

One of  a multitude of green rainforest moths that have been visiting our light sheet (Comostola sp.)

Metallic darkling beetle (Tenebrionidae), feeding upon the trunk of a tree.

A small Raspy cricket (Gryllacrididae). The spines on the first two pairs of legs help the cricket to grasp small invertebrate prey.

Lacewing  Chrysopidae

The face of the Serrated-legged katydid, Paracaedicia serrata.

A Lynx spider, Oxyopes sp.. A nocturnal ambush hunter.

Irridescent Tachinid fly (Tachinidae).

Four-spined jewel spider, Gasteracantha quadrispinosa.

Ant-mimicking katydid

This small katydid nymph turned up in our yard earlier this month. It was on a plant frequented by Black rattle ants (Polyrhachis australis) which are about the same size as the nymph.

Not only does the nymph resemble the ants at a glance, its movements were very ant-like. Katydid specialist David Rentz thinks the nymph may be Kurandoptera purpura.

Peppermint twist

 

Megacrania batesii is known as the Peppermint stick insect for a very good reason. As a defence it sprays a dual-streamed blast of peppermint scented liquid at its predators. The defensive chemical is produced by glands in the thorax and liquid is stored in sacs which lead to ducts just behind the insect's head.  

Megacrania batesii discharging the defensive chemical from ducts just behind the head.

  

 Like all phasmids, Megacrania batesii sheds its exoskeleton in order to grow. The process is practically the same at the sequence pictured in the previous post featuring Phyllium monteithi. The exuvia left behind is typical with one exception; it contains the sacs in which the peppermint scented defensive fluid is found. The result is that the insect is not only soft and vulnerable immediately after moulting, but has to replenish the chemical before being able to defend itself fully. This period is obviously one of hightened risk for this species, and perhaps there are some behavioural modifications during this period to reduce the risk of predation. Species such as the Peruvian stick insect Oreophoetes peruana have a similar defence yet do not shed the lining to the sacs, hence retaining their defensive ability post moult.
 

The entire exuvia with the two white sacs present at the left near the head.

The sacs can be clearly seen filled with the white peppermint scented chemical.


If you are interested in keeping these or other fascinating stick and leaf insects visit Minibeast Wildlife's site.

 

Moulting Phyllium monteithi

Last February an adult pair of Phyllium monteithi (Leaf insects) were found in Kuranda by an invertebrate enthusiast from Cairns. They were found upon Cape Ironwood (Gossia floribunda).  Females of this species have proved to be extremely elusive until now, but it was only a matter of time before one turned up. The many eggs laid by the female were collected and incubated. By mid-year some had hatched.

We acquired some 1st instar nymphs and some eggs about 3 weeks ago to begin our own captive population of these amazing insects.

Today the first of our hatchling (1st instar) nymphs has moulted. Here are some images of the moulting process.

Several minutes into the moulting process and the insect is pumping itself steadily out of the old exoskeleton. The initial emergence point through a split that forms just behing the head

All the legs are now free.

The insect hanging by the end of its abdomen while the new exoskeleton hardens.

All complete, and now a 2nd instar nymph.

The moulting process (ecdysis) is how arthropods achieve growth. Insects such as phasmids need to have a secure hold on a leaf or branch in order to extract themselves effectively from their old exoskeleton. If something goes wrong it can result in limb loss or even death. It is also a period where they are extremely vulnerable to predators.

This specimen moulted at 7am this morning. The temperature was 16.5°C and the process took around 20 minutes for the insect to completely free its limbs and the majority of its body. It then hung from the exuvia via the end of its abdomen for a further 20 minutes before pulling completely free and climbing back onto the leaf. Like most phasmids, it then proceeded to eat the exuvia.

If you are interested in keeping stick and leaf insects yourself, visit our comprehensive site.

Mt Baldy

A recent trip to Mt Baldy near Atherton on a cold night revealed very little, particularly within the foliage. On the ground, however, there was a bit of activity, and a few interesting species moving around. Here's a selection.

Chrysomelid leaf beetles mating on acacia.

More Chrysomelid beetles. Probably the same species as above and are obviously highly variable.

Whistling frog, Austrochaperina sp.

Stony creek frog, Litoria jungguy

Leeches were very active. Many on the ground and some lurking in the lower foliage like this one.

Semi-slugs were very active. This is most likely Fastosarion brazeri

A semi-slug has a small shell which is concealed by a soft mantle.

Hercules update

We are currently raising some Hercules Moth caterpillars. They hatched out on the 26th of May and one has pupated today, a larval period of 81 days. The growth rate of the caterpillars has been relatively slow given the cooler conditions we have experienced over the recent months. 

A caterpillar emerging from the egg on the 26th May.

24 hours after hatching and the larvae are feeding voraciously and already filling out.

At 24 days old the larvae are substantially larger, but still white in colour.

By 40 days they are pale green in colour and becoming very large caterpillars.

Day 74 – what a whopper!