Back
Planispectrum bengalensis (Redtenbacher, 1906)
| Family Name: | Bacillidae |
| Taxonomic Group: | Invertebrates (Stick Insect) |
| Common Name: | Pygmy Stick Insect |
Name
Ecology, Habitat & Location
| Ecological Notes | Very rare and seldom seen. |
|---|---|
| Habitats | Forest, Terrestrial |
| Distribution | Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra and Java. It is known from Nee Soon; there are several specimens in the Raffles Museum collection but the present author has only seen one specimen in the wild. |
| Nature Reserves | Central Catchment Nature Reserve |
Conservation
| Trends & Threats | Habitat and foodplant destruction are the most important threats. Changes in hydrology might affect Nee Soon Swamp Forest. |
|---|---|
| Scientific Interest & Potential Value | This is a very tiny species in which males have never been found. It may be rarely seen only because it is a ground dweller and as it is so small may have been easily overlooked by collectors. The species is a very small dark insect without spines on the body or legs. |
| Conservation Notes | The most useful conservation measure available for these insects is to increase public awareness of these creatures. As these are very seldom seen in the wild, it may be possible only through insect observatories and cultures. Nee Soon swamp forest is protected within the Central Catchment Nature Reserve. |
| Notes | Singapore Red Data Book 2008 status ranges from Endangered to Critically Endangered. |
Status
| Species Status | Native |
|---|---|
| Singapore Red Data Book Status | Critically Endangered (CR) [2008] |
Photos
References
| References | Davison, G.W.H., Ng, P.K.L. & Ho, H.C (Eds.). 2008. The Singapore Red Data Book (2nd Edition). Singapore: Nature Society (Singapore). 285pp |
|---|