G. O. BEDFORD
Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales, 1975, Vol. 100, part 4, pp. 218-222, 2 pls.
Synopsis
A description is given of presumed defensive behaviour in New Guinea
phasmatids of the genus Eurycantha, which inhabit hollow tree
trunks and stumps. When disturbed, adult males raise the abdomen in an
S-shape and strike together the metathoracic legs which are heavily armed
with spikes. Any restraining object tends to be grasped by these legs
and impaled on the spikes by the closure of the femoro-tibial joints. The
male copulatory organ is repeatedly everted, releasing an odour. Females
show similar, though weaker, grasping movements, as their metathoracic
legs are thinner and less armed with spikes.