Medauromorpha baviensis "Ba Vi"

(by Bruno Kneubuehler)

General Informations

• this culture has initially been called Medaurini sp. 2 "Ba Vi"
• provenience: Ba Vi NP (Vietnam)
• ID by Joachim Bresseel (BE)
• described by Joachim Bresseel (BE) and Jérome Constant (Belgium) in 2017
• F1 CB culture in 2016 by Bruno Kneubuehler (CH)
• further taxonomical informations ➤ Phasmida Species Files
• this is a pure culture, and serious breeders are asked to avoid mixing this culture with similar populations from a different provenience. When spreading this culture to other breeders, then always use the full name with provenience
• this culture has the number CLP  822   (Online Phasma Culture List)

Females

• medium-sized phasmids
• body length 10 - 11 cm
• females coloration is very variable, some are reddish-brown, other with different shades of brown
• big lobes on mid and hind legs

Males

• slender, medium-sized phasmids
• body length 8.5 cm
• brown

Nymphs

• freshly hatched nymphs are brown with a greenish head
• on how to distinguish between male and female nymphs

Eggs

• 14 x 1.5 mm
• dark brown with net-like pattern

Food Plants

• bramble (Rubus spp.)
  well accepted by nymphs and adults
• but new bramble leaves (spring) are not well accepted
• raspberry (Rubus idaeus)
  well accepted by nymphs and adults, and a good alternative for new bramble leaves in spring

Breeding, Behaviour

• easy to breed
• they usually try to feign death when touched
• active mainly during the night
• eggs usually drop to the ground
• about 5 - 10 eggs per female and week
• incubation (Cup-Incubation-method, on medium damp vermiculite) about 6 months at 20 - 24 °C
• eggs can be covered by vermiculite (about 5 mm high), which makes it easier for the nymphs to hatch without getting stuck in the eggs shell
• eggs of this species are not prone to get mouldy
• nymphs hatch during the night
• a humidity of about 65 - 75 % seems to be good enough for nymphs and adults
• one can spray them regularly with chlorine-free water, but allow the water to dry up before spraying again
• small nymphs can be kept in a Faunabox (or a similar cage), which shall not be too small
• provide a cage of about 30 x 30 x 40 (cm, L x B x H) for 3 adult couples
• males will be adult after 4.5 months (at 20 - 24°C), females after 5 months

Basics of phasmids breeding

• keep only one species per cage, overpopulation is one of the main reasons for breeding failures
• keep nymphs seperate from the adults, mainly to protect them during the crucial moulting phases
• choose the cage big enough. When in doubt, too big is (usually) better than too small
• a ventilator often supports good breeding results, as it seems to increase activity and feeding
• provide enough light, but avoid direct sunlight (overheating)
• try to keep day time temperatures below 25°C
• a nocturnal fall of temperature is natural, and thus advantageous
• do not spray too much, phasmids are no fish ! Allow the water to dry up before you spray again
• minimize disturbances (loud music, commotions, light at or during the night, opening up cages in the morning [often a moulting phase] ect.)