Pharnaciini

Abstract: A new large species of stick insect,Pharnacia magdiwang Lit & Eusebio, sp. nov., is described from Sibuyan Island in Romblon Province, central Philippines. The species inhabits mango trees (Mangiferaindica L.) although plant damage at present is minimal and well tolerated by the host plant. The adult male, female and eggs are described and illustrated. P. magdiwang is, so far, the third Pharnacia species in the Philippines, the two others being P. kalag Zompro described in 2005, and the typespecies, P. ponderosa StA¥l, here reported as infesting pili trees (Canarium ovatum Engl.) and other economically important plants in natural forests and agroforestry areas. All three species of Pharnacia are endemic to the Philippines and are differentiated in keys to adults and eggs herein provided. P. magdiwang brings to six the total number of the so-called known giant stick insects in the Philippines. Apart from P. magdiwang and P. ponderosa, other stick insects on economically important crops are also noted. The probable identity of the species once reported to attack Pandanus sp. used for weaving mats in Panay is proposed. Key Words: giant stick insects, Pharnacia, Phasmatodea, stick insects Abbreviations and acronyms: IUCN – International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources; MNH– Museum of Natural History; UPLB – University of the Philippines Los BaA±os