Several years ago a species of phasmid thought to be extinct was re-discovered on the rocky shores of Lord Howe Island off the coast of Australia. The tiny population of stick insects were taken to the Melbourne Zoo with the hope of being able to breed them. The breeding program has been fairly successful-- with over 700 phasmids and 1500 eggs captive reared (1).
Commonly called "Jurassic" stick insects because of their ancient heritage-- dating back to... (can anyone guess the period?)... the Jurassic, these phasmids are roughly 12 cm long with a shiny, black exoskeleton. Their coloring is particularly helpful as they are nocturnal-- which is uncommon in other phasmids.
The Jurassic stick insects were thought to be extinct after feral rats began to populate Lord Howe island in 200_. The Melbourne Zoo hopes to be able to introduce the captive bread Jurassic stick insects to the island after the rat population is eradicated. The zoo and its specialists have discovered quite a bit about this species-- particularly about its breeding behavior. Males and females form "breeding pairs," females lay up to 250 eggs in batches of 9 or 10, that they bury their eggs under the soil, that the eggs gestate between 6 and 9 months, and that the insects live about 9 months (2).
(1) Jurassic Insects on View. 14 Oct 2008. http://www.zoo.org.au/News/Jurassic_Insects
(2) Jurassic Insects on View. 14 Oct 2008. http://www.zoo.org.au/News/Jurassic_Insects
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