Hi specs, i am not trying to put people of getting stick insects, i am just trying to warn them that there are toxic stick insects out there,

the species i had was not Anisomorpha bupestroides i just listed this as an example,
i have attached a photo of the species that sprayed me, it is a lovely looking species and that is why i got it, i cant remember its common or latin name.

Attached Images

bugs.jpg (9.4 KB, 14 views)

The stick insect you put up a picture of is the Jamaican stick insect. It, and the Florida (A buprestoides) stick insect are the two that need to be avoided and really should not be sold as pets. The best thing is to buy from a reputable company that knows what they are supplying and provides information on the creatures they sell. I can recommend Small-Life Supplies who have been going for years. They also sell a good book about various stick insects - including the Pink Winged stick insect, which as I said is completely harmless. Incidentally, Pink Winged stick insects are also parthenogenetic (like Indians) as are many other types of stick insects.

hi, thanks telling me,i remember seeing small-life supplies on my hunt for bugs and insects, it looks a good place to buy insects and would also recomend it,
thank you for your help,
Robert

I agree with Specs above. This is an alarming thread title which is not warranted. yes some stick insects emit a noxious spray as a deterrent which can have any of the following symptoms. Strong odor, irritation to skin, coughing and sneezing due to irritation to nose and throat, and on the rare occasion temporary blindness if it gets into the eyes.

There are no recorded cases of a human being dying from the effects of them being sprayed by any Phasmid.

I have kept the following 2 species of phasmid that emit a defensive spray.
Anisomorpha paromalus
The defensive chemical spay produced from the glands behind the back of the neck are highly irritating to both the eyes and bronchial system, they will spray quite readily.
Temporary blindness is possible if direct contact with eyes happens. Mine never sprayed me directly whilst handling them but they will readily spray.


Sipyloidea sipylus
Emits a defensive spray that has a musty smell to it.


I don't think this thread needs to be stickied if these insects are being sold they are usually stated as sprayers. Choosing a reputable seller will ensure that these are avoided if you do not wish to keep phasmid that have a defensive spray.

Here are a few sites that I would recommend if anyone wishes to buy stick insects:-

Janice and Graham from Metamorphosis
Virginia Cheeseman
Small Life Supplies

Could we have this thread unstickied they are not TOXIC as stated above, they have a defensive spray that can cause various symptoms as described above but are not TOXIC. No one has died from contact with any Phasmid and this thread does nothing more than instill fear of Phasmid into people who do not do their homework. Dogs are more dangerous than Phasmid, I'd even go as far to say that more people have been injured by their tortoises than by any Phasmid.

OK, rant over, Phasmid are our phriends not our phoes.

Check out the link in my signature to see some of the Phasmids I have kept.

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1 Corn Snake (Sid, Female) 3 years old
See Her Live Here

Phasmids I have Kept

email the admin and ask to have it removed.

__________________
Robert.
my flickr page.

Don't want it removing, just a possible title change? Instead of Toxic have Spraying.

It's good that people are made aware of the fact that not all Stick Insects are ideal to handle, it can be a big shock to those that do get sprayed and are not expecting it.

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1 Corn Snake (Sid, Female) 3 years old
See Her Live Here

Phasmids I have Kept

I think then, in the future you should check out the species online. That is what I did and now I have had Indian stick insects for 3 years. (Not the same ones obviously)

Hope this helps anyone who is looking to get stick insects

Ollie