Abstract
ABSTRACT Stick insects (Phasmatodea) are among the least studied insect groups in Brazil. Although in recent years there has been an increase in the number of published studies on taxonomy and morphology of Brazilian stick insects, they remain very little-known concerning biological and bionomic aspects. From five females of Cladoxerus cryphaleus (Phasmatidae: Cladomorphinae) collected in the Iguacu National Park, Parana, Brazil, a captive colony of parthenogenetic females was started, based on which data on longevity, fertility, and viability of eggs of this species were recorded for the first time. After imaginal molting, the 21 females studied had an average longevity of 103.7 days. Each female produced on average 125.3 eggs, which had a hatching rate of 34.2%. In addition, we recorded a C. cryphaleus male nymph being parasitized by a biting midge of the subgenus Forcipomyia (Microhelea) (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). The male, in pre-imaginal instar and already parasitized, was collected in the municipality of Petropolis, Rio de Janeiro.
Highlights
Stick insects (Phasmatodea) are among the least studied insect groups in Brazil
In recent years there has been an increase in the number of published studies on taxonomy and morphology of Brazilian stick insects, they remain very little-known concerning biological and bionomic aspects
From recently collected specimens of Cladoxerus cryphaleus (Westwood), we present here a study on longevity and fertility of this species, for which information on bionomy has never been published
Summary
In recent years there has been an increase in the number of published studies on taxonomy and morphology of Brazilian stick insects, they remain very little-known concerning biological and bionomic aspects. From five females of Cladoxerus cryphaleus (Phasmatidae: Cladomorphinae) collected in the Iguaçu National Park, Paraná, Brazil, a captive colony of parthenogenetic females was started, based on which data on longevity, fertility, and viability of eggs of this species were recorded for the first time.
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