Stick Insect Keeper
Insider Info
Stick insects make very interesting pets. They resemble twigs, but may
only be four inches long. Most of these insects come from the tropics. There
are about 2,700 species of these insects. They come from the Phasmid group
of insects.
John Locke is a professor of biological sciences. He says there are several
advantages to having walking sticks as pets. They don't smell. They eat
lettuce. They aren't able to infest houses. They move slowly and carefully.
And they only live for about the length of a school year.
Because these insects are so docile, many teachers opt to have stick insects
as classroom pets.
Stick insects are an excellent way to teach insect behavior. You can use
them to show children how to be responsible for a pet and how insects escape
from their predators. Many collectors who have stick insects keep their eggs
and raise them.
Bob Beer is an insect collector from Seattle. He has been collecting stick
insects since 1999. "I saw Australian spiny sticks at a greenhouse and was
fascinated. I remembered wild stick insects from my childhood in Iowa and
had always loved them, but these were truly bizarre," he says.
"When they started laying eggs, I took some of the babies and raised them,
and then looked them up on the Internet. I found that there were people around
the world who shared the interest and started raising other species," he says.
The collection of stick insects and other insects has been growing. Teachers
use stick insects as classroom pets. Other people collect insects as pets
because they require very little maintenance. As greater emphasis is placed
on the preservation of wildlife and rain forest areas, more people are collecting
these insects.
"It gives me the opportunity to put walking sticks forward as a tool to
teach about insects, the environment and how we should all be more aware of
how insects affect our environment," Locke says.
Universities and colleges in both the U.S. and Canada have extensive entomology
programs. Those who want to learn more about stick insects and their behavior
would benefit from these classes.
There are also a number of job opportunities for those interested in stick
insects. Opportunities include work at zoos and museums. There are positions
in pest management, agriculture and forestry and research and development.
Others make presentations to different groups and organizations about bugs.
In his research of stick insects, Beer has found that "each species has
its unique shape, color, strategies and habits. To see a leaf insect and notice
that even the wings have adapted to look like leaf veins and that it knows
how to move like a leaf blowing in the breeze is something I find miraculous."
One of the greatest advantages to collecting stick insects is that anyone
can do it. In fact, this could be a very interesting hobby for those with
physical impairments.
Getting Started
There are many pet stores that have tropical insects. Stick insects can
live on lettuce.
According to the Classroom Animals and Pets Web site, "Water is needed
in differing amounts. Some species of walking sticks will actually drink from
a bowl, some need a constant high humidity, whereas others seem to get by
on the moisture obtained from leaves."
It is good to ask about the diet that is recommended for your chosen species.
A container for a stick insect should be a tank with some ventilation on
the top. Stick insects are able to get out of very small holes, so mesh should
also be used on the top of the tank. When stick insects lay eggs, the eggs
should be moved to a different tank. Tanks should be kept at room temperature.
Associations
Phasmid Study Group
Internet
:
http://www.earthlife.net/insects/psg.html
Entomological Society of America
300-9301 Annapolis Rd.
Lanham
,
MD
20706-3115
USA
E-mail
:
esa@entsoc.org
Internet
:
http://www.entsoc.org
Links
Directory of Entomological Societies
Lists a number of societies in North America as well as several
other countries
Stick Insect
Educational resources on stick insects
Classroom Animals and Pets
Describes various insects and their care in the classroom, regarding
weekends and temperature
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