eurycnema goliath eggs

[nympho]

any tips on hatching these. i bought them on ebay a few months ago so far none have hatched - ive heard they are ticky to hatch. i am keeping then in a small plastic container on dry tissue paper in a (just) heated glass vivarium (a so called 'heat' mat). should i mist them or keep them dry? not very hot in there, probably about 15c most of the time. dont really know anything about these creatures, except they eat eucalyptus (which i cant find where i live anywhere :rolleyes: ). can they eat bramble or anything else, in the unlikly event one hatches?

btw first post. i popped over from mantidforum

[Ian]

Welcome to the forum nympho!

I've never kept these, so I expect Rob would be the best for some advice.

[Morpheus_UK]

I got some from ebay ages ago aswell, turned into a mould collection :(
Keep them warm and slightly dry so like mist once a week

[Belfast_Phasmid_Keeper]

Hey Welcome.

Try a local garden centre for your eucalyptus, but do not ground plant unless you want a 60ft + monster in your garden, keep it potted at all times, just increase pot size until you are happy with the size the plant is and then leave. Very extensive root system which will then slowly kill the plant. but you should get a few years out of it and plenty of cuttings. Small plants cost arond £8/9.

Good luck

Mark D. :D

[nympho]

can u take cuttings of eucalyptus. i didnt realize. if thats the case i'll try that if i can locate an example of the pesky tree. annoyingly i dug out one a year ago for someone (im a gardener)

[Belfast_Phasmid_Keeper]

Yeah well i take cuttings and stick them in a jar with a cover to stop any little ones falling in. so far no problems with it drying in but just check it regularly to see tho. oh and make a diagonal cut on hte stem as it will have a greater surface area for increased water intake, do the same with bramble also.

Mark D. :D

[robsorchids]

E.golaith eggs are best incubated in very well ventilated containers and can tolerate alot of drying out (think hot australia!) but obviosuly not to much, mine are kept on dry sand that is misted lightly once the eggs go the distinctive light colour, which indicates the need for water.

keep to this and the ova wont go mouldy, this is what happens to most ova bought and not incubated properly.

it would appear many austalian sp are prone to moulding of the eggs

also bear in mind that eggs bought of ebay are going to be fresh eggs, and this speices can take 1 year + to hatch from fresh eggs so you may be in for a wait!
sometimes they will hatch faster

once the hatch keep in very airy containers, and DONT mist them.
i have found these drop like flys if they are sprayed directley, and since i stoped this they were fine and are very easy.
its a good idea however, to lightly wet papertowling every few days for a little bit of humidity to help moulting

rob

[nympho]

thats reasuring, ive been basically keeping them dry thinking along the same lines that australia is dry and parched and so they are adapted to this. i did give their tissue paper a good mist/soak a few weeks ago to similate a downpoor hoping this would trigger hatching. saying that i let them dry out and didnt let them hang about in the damp. cheers