[Brigebane]

Platymeris sp.
African Assassin bugs

Intro-
The species of assassin that I will be addressing here are from the Platymeris genus. With a focus on some of the more common species to the hobby: Platymeris ?Mombo? the Orange spot assassin, Platymeris rhadamanthus the Red spot assassin and Platymeris biguttata the White spot assassin. All of these assassins are indigenous to Africa, the Platymeris ?Mombo? having not been described is found in the Mombo region near the Usumbara Mountains,Platymeris biguttata comes from the Togo regions and Platymeris rhadamanthus comes from Kenya. Reaching adult sizes of 1-1/2 inch in body length or nearly 4 cm, they are quite robust. Most specimens are known to reach adult sizes in a period of 6 to 9 months and can live for up to two years after that.

Housing-
Adult assassins prefer dry warm climates of 78-80 degrees fahrenheight or 24 degrees Celsius. Water is normally attained from food items but take care to provide a dish full of moist substrate for egg deposition. Any escape proof container will do, I use clear 11x14x8 inch sterlite containers for my groups, with a dry mix of peat and sand being sufficient bedding. I usually provide a few vertically oriented pieces of cork as for opportunistic hiding areas. Ample heating can be achieved with Mylar heat tape or a low wattage nocturnal heat lamp.

Feeding-
Platymeris ?Mombo? is a voracious feeder, taking down prey items many times its adult size. I feed my adult specimens a variety of Cicada, locust, crickets, mealworms and waxworms, and small roaches and feed nymphs on pinhead to 1/8 of an inch crickets. These aren?t as studious cleaners as tarantulas and will often leave the discarded, somewhat juicy husks of their victims lying where they drop. It is a good idea to remove these whenever spotted.

Aggression-
All Assassins feed via a spear point mouthpart or ?rostrum?. Though they aren?t generally aggressive they will bite if restrained or startled in any manner. Some species are also known to spit digestive enzymes when agitated. I have heard of temporary blindness and occasional tissue breakdown as a direct effect of the bite; more commonly though, one can note an intense pain and swelling similar to a hornet or scorpion sting. Most of these seem relatively passive however; though I don?t recommend handling, I have had a couple instances of one skittering up my tongs and on to my skin during cage transfers. They definitely seem more aware than most arachnids that they are not actually standing on ground though.

Breeding-
Breeding seems to be relatively simple with these three species as long as adequate housing conditions are met. As these species are quite communal, one can keep groups of up to a couple dozen Platymeris sp. Together as long as ample food and space are available. In sexing an adult specimen size is no indicator. One should look for a round protrusion on the abdomen of male, Thanks Vincent. Luckily Platymeris ?Mombo? is known to be parthenogenic. Eggs are usually deposited in a moist site and eggs hatch in a period of three weeks. The nymphs are usually housed in small dram vials or solo containers and fed on pinhead to 1/8?? crickets. Care should also be taken that young are not aloud to dehydrate, water can be provided by keeping soil moderately moist.

Jamison D. Madson

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This post has been edited by Brigebane: 26 February 2006 - 09:19 AM

[ParabuthusKing]

Jamison, those are definitely some beautiful Assassin bugs, Is that picture of one on your arm? life size scale.. It looks to be at least 2'' long?? Wow, if thats so, I am a little worried about getting bit by thatg sucker. Thanks for the info on this species, as I have never even seen one of these alive.. cool :rockon: :rockon:

[vespa_bicolor]

I thought this truly needed to be pinned!
Great info there!
And I must also say you've got guts; I wouldn't dare do that after taking a bite from one (not even Platymeris, just a small local species)

[BrianS]

Yes this is very very good info!!! Thanks alot Jamison :)

[Daddyo72]

Excellent follow up to the thread posted yesterdays. I was just asking quite a lot about them. Nice report!! Very fascinating to read. :)

[BrianS]

Jamison, Can you post some pics of your enclosures? I would really like to see them :)

[Brigebane]

Thanks all for the positive input.

Heres a few additional photos of the enclosure and one of the bugs out for a romp. This one always seems hungry.

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[Vincent]

Nice caresheet :D but if you don't mind I have some additional info that you might want to add.

Platymeris biguttatus comes from West Africa (i.e. Togo)
Platymeris rhadamanthus comes from East Africa (i.e. Kenya)

I kept them on slightly moist substrate. The nymps are very sensitive to dehydration and must be housed on moist substrate.

It's not impossible to sex them.

Found this on arachnoboards:
The abdomen of the males has a rounded end (loos like a small bubble).
It's very good to see. The females don't have that bubble-thing

This post has been edited by Vincent: 26 February 2006 - 08:44 AM

[Brigebane]

Vincent, on Feb 26 2006, 03:47 PM, said:

Nice caresheet :D but if you don't mind I have some additional info that you might want to add.

Platymeris biguttatus comes from West Africa (i.e. Togo)
Platymeris rhadamanthus comes from East Africa (i.e. Kenya)

I kept them on slightly moist substrate. The nymps are very sensitive to dehydration and must be housed on moist substrate.

It's not impossible to sex them.

Found this on arachnoboards:
The abdomen of the males has a rounded end (loos like a small bubble).
It's very good to see. The females don't have that bubble-thing

TY Vincent, as always still learning. :D

[Brigebane]

Also found this in corresponding with Wade on Arachnoboards, Nymphs do best with lots of ventilation. I would insert a bit of screen mesh or coffee filter into the tops of young containers.

[Vincent]

Some pics :D

Platymeris biguttatus
http://www.exotics.nl/images/venomlist/biguttatus.jpg

Platymeris rhadamanthus
http://www.exotics.nl/images/venomlist/rhadamanthus.jpg

Eating pic that shows the ?rostrum?
http://www.exotics.nl/images/venomlist/eating.jpg

[BrianS]

BTW, I highly recommend to move the eggs to a separate deli cup. If you dont the crickets you drop in for food will eat the eggs.

[LongDucDong]

I cant believe I never saw this thread before, duh! :wacko: :wacko: Ive got a pair of rhadamanthus coming from Darrin. Sounds like I should keep them moist? With any luck Ill end up with a m/f pair, that would rock. Id love to have assassin nymphs. Anyways, back on track.... moist? 1/2 dry 1/2 damp?

[BrianS]

Steve, When in doubt, I always do the 1/2 damp and 1/2 dry thing. Just be sure to watch for eggs and gather them so the crickets you feed wont eat them. Fo the nymphs provide them with climbs as they like to molt upside down ;)

[LongDucDong]

BrianS, on Jul 21 2006, 09:48 AM, said:

Steve, When in doubt, I always do the 1/2 damp and 1/2 dry thing. Just be sure to watch for eggs and gather them so the crickets you feed wont eat them. Fo the nymphs provide them with climbs as they like to molt upside down ;)

Well scratch that. :angry2: :angry2: Son of a WITCH!!!!!!! :angry2: :angry2: Darrin has informed me that they can no longer legally sell these thanks to the USDA (United States Dept of Arses). Sooooo, no assassin bugs for me or anyone else from now on. Dang this government sometimes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :angry2: :angry2: :angry2:

This post has been edited by LongDucDong: 21 July 2006 - 04:51 PM

[Beardo]

I thought you could keep them, just not import them?

[LongDucDong]

Beardo, on Jul 21 2006, 07:56 PM, said:

I thought you could keep them, just not import them?

Not according to Darrin at least. Hes even heard of the USDA knocking on doors to collect them from breeders/dealers/keepers. If they do that, request a search warrant. If they dont have one, slam the door in their face. :D

[Beardo]

Thats crazy stuff! I'll have to look into this more, as I've been wanting to get some Assassins for a while now.

[copper]

Beardo, on Jul 22 2006, 02:34 AM, said:

Thats crazy stuff! I'll have to look into this more, as I've been wanting to get some Assassins for a while now.

Me too, where is this species located? like state wise

Mat

[iBry]

I take it this genus is communal. Are there any issues with cannibalism in Platymeris? From what I read above about their range, I'm assuming these should be kept warm and dry, is that correct? Are these bugs capable of climbing up smooth sides like tarantulas do?