''Peruphasma schultei,'' known as the black beauty stick insect, is a species of
phasmid found in the
Cordillera del Condor region of northern
Peru
, image_flag = Flag of Peru.svg
, image_coat = Escudo nacional del Perú.svg
, other_symbol = Great Seal of the State
, other_symbol_type = National seal
, national_motto = "Firm and Happy f ...
. In the wild the insect feeds on ''
Schinus
''Schinus'' is a genus of flowering trees and tall shrubs in the sumac family, Anacardiaceae. Members of the genus are commonly known as pepper trees. The Peruvian pepper tree (''Schinus molle'') is the source of the spice known as pink pepperc ...
'' plants, but will feed on
privet
A privet is a flowering plant in the genus ''Ligustrum''. The genus contains about 50 species of erect, deciduous or evergreen shrubs, sometimes forming small or medium-sized trees, native to Europe, north Africa, Asia, many introduced and nat ...
, ''
Aucuba japonica
''Aucuba japonica'', commonly called spotted laurel, Japanese laurel, Japanese aucuba or gold dust plant (U.S.), is a shrub () native to rich forest soils of moist valleys, thickets, by streams and near shaded moist rocks in China, Korea, and ...
'' and
honeysuckle
Honeysuckles are arching shrubs or twining vines in the genus ''Lonicera'' () of the family Caprifoliaceae, native to northern latitudes in North America and Eurasia. Approximately 180 species of honeysuckle have been identified in both conti ...
in captivity. In Peru they are only known to exist in a region of less than 5 hectares, usually on volcanoes or mountains, but since their discovery they have become increasingly popular as pets worldwide due to their unusual colouration and they are now bred regularly in captivity.
Description
A large and compact species,
females
Female (symbol: ♀) is the sex of an organism that produces the large non-motile ova (egg cells), the type of gamete (sex cell) that fuses with the male gamete during sexual reproduction.
A female has larger gametes than a male. Females ...
can reach 5.5 cm and are larger than males, which measure 3.8 to 4.3 cm.
They have a black body, yellow eyes and red/brownish mouth parts, with adults having bright red
vestigial
Vestigiality is the retention, during the process of evolution, of genetically determined structures or attributes that have lost some or all of the ancestral function in a given species. Assessment of the vestigiality must generally rely on co ...
wings. When disturbed, adults of this species are able to spray a defensive liquid from glands at the rear of the head which can be irritating to the skin and eyes.
Habitat
''P. schultei'' has been found in regions like the Cerro Casapita, which consists of grasslands and other vegetation the species is known to live in. The species best thrives in grassland and forest habitats, however they cannot handle pasturelands.
Conservation Status
The insect is listed on the IUCN Red List as critically endangered and was last updated in May 2018. Since then, their population has been actively decreasing.
While no direct conservation efforts have been made for the species themselves, they are known to inhabit at least three known protected areas that were created for the preservation of the endangered Marañon Poison Dart Frog.
Threats
Multiple threats to ''Peruphasma schultei'' are the result of human activities. These include habitat loss due to converting land for agriculture and livestock farming. There are also natural threats from wildfires.
Etymology
This species is named after Rainer Schulte, who collected the original specimens.
One of its common names that is listed under the IUCN red list is the Golden-Eyed Stick Insect.
Gallery
Image:Peruphasma schultei, pair.JPG, Pair
Image:Flügel Peruphasma schultei.jpg, Hindwing
Image:Peruphasma schultei - female.JPG, Female
Image:Weibchen Peruphasma schultei.jpg, Illustration of a female
Image:Peruphasma schultei, eggs.JPG, Eggs
References
External links
*
Phasmid Study Group: ''Peruphasma schultei''Aquazoo Löbbecke Museum Düsseldorf''Peruphasma schultei''
Phasmatodea
Insects described in 2005
Endemic fauna of Peru
Invertebrates of Peru
Insects of South America
{{Phasmatodea-stub