Forum Mapalus: nature

nature

Posted by Dr. Bruno Kneubuhler on 3/20/2005, 9:50 pm

Dear Ladys and Gentlemen
I am a scientist from Switzerland and I am working in the field of Entomology. Specifically I am studying the insect order of Phasmatodea, commonly known as stick or leaf insects. Therefore I am breeding several species of this specific insect order here in Switzerland, thus trying to learn more about their fascinating biology and life cycles. Together with other scientific colleagues, like Oskar CONLE and Frank HENNEMANN, we are currently studying about 50 different species in vivo from around the world.
The aim of our extensive research is to study the order of Phasmatodea more thoroughly, also by studying and preserving phasmid species in vivo. These insects are overlooked very easily, not only in their natural habitat, but also science did not pay to much interest in their systematics and biology - as yet.
In literature there are several species of stick insects described from Sulawesi and other countries - and certainly many more species are existing in these beautiful countries which are still undiscovered.
I am trying now to make contact with sincere persons from Sulawesi which are capable and willing to send stick insects - or rather their eggs - to Switzerland or Germany, to support our studies.
The person should have an natural interest in animals and nature and be capable to contact me by email.
I would like to repeat, that the aim of our study is of scientific nature, and not getting into a business. Nevertheless, interested persons could earn some money by performing this simple job. I would send all informations - more informations about our study project, as well as detailed informations on how to collect the insects and how to send them abroad with airmail.
In case you know persons who might be interested in this subject matter - like students, teachers or researchers (e.g. entomologists, zoologists, botanists ect.) or persons enthusiastic about nature - I shall be very happy if you could forward this letter to them or (if you prefer so) to get their email address or answer any further question you might have about this issue.
Following is a link to a web site, where my scientific co-worker Mr. Conle publishes relevant results of our studies:
http://www.phasmatodea.com
Wishing you all the best
yours sincerely
Dr. sc. nat. Bruno Kneubuhler
my postal adress:
Bruno Kneubuhler
Lowengrube 12
CH – 6014 Littau
SWITZERLAND (EUROPE)

my email adress: gopala@bluewin.ch

PS: a few additional notes on the subject:
Usually the eggs of stick insects are being sent by mail, rarely living imagos or nymphs. Adult Phasmid females lay eggs regularly, certain species several eggs per day. But there are also species which lay only one egg every 1 to 3 days.
These eggs are being collected carefully from stick insects kept in a box for some time and then they are sent by mail - air mail if possible. It is much easier to packed up these eggs in a safe way and thus they are much more likely to survive the travel by mail to Europe.