​HELP SAVE THE LONG LOST PHASMID

An Entomologist, named Stephen J Fellenberg 

Stephen has always been interested in insects and other invertebrates developing a number of different skills over the years, he has been preparing and giving presentations and demonstrations with live insects and other invertebrates to students at Playgroups, Pre-schools, Primary, Secondary Schools and Universities from 1992 to 2016.

 

Obtaining an Associate Diploma in Biological Techniques at the Sydney Institute of Technology, while working as a laboratory assistant, with the Centre for Entomological Research in Insecticide Technology (CERIT) at UNSW, studying sheep blowflies has equipped him with the basic knowledge on which to continue his own research and development of educational programs. 

Stephen has completed an Entomological Technical Training Course, held at CSIRO, in Canberra and also a short course on the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Stephen has accreditation from the NSW Department of Education and a certificate IV in Adult Education from NSW TAFE. 

In his spare time Stephen has assisted the National Parks Association (NPA) as team leader on a number of biodiversity surveys. But his main area of interests are with the fascinating group of insects known as stick insects (Phasmids). This group first caught his attention while doing volunteer work at the Australian Museum Sydney, by starting to sort the collection he found that two females were carrying identical eggs (6 each). So after publication of the eggs description Stephen was hooked! 

 

In 2015 Stephen completed an advanced diploma in applied environmental management at Ryde TAFE which led to advanced standing in a bachelor degree (biodiversity and conservation) at Macquarie University.

Today the most exciting work is on the Lord Howe Island stick insect which Stephen has coined "The Long Lost Phasmid" a team of scientists rediscovered them in February 2001 on Ball's pyramid. A Breeding program is now under way and hopefully as funds becoming available Stephen will be able to continue the research into this fascinating group.

 

In 2016 Stephen established the breeding program for the long lost phasmid in cooperation with Macquarie University utilising their greenhouse facilities and volunteers from their student body.  

Stephen is also a member of the Entomological Society of NSW and The Society for Insect Studies. 

“ Hi! I Hope you enjoy your Bug Adventures, see you again soon”. 

When Stephen not studying the phasmid or collecting other bugs, he'll be at the CMA Martial Arts Dojang training (www.hapkidobjj.com).

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Stephen's highest rank to date is 4rd degree black belt in Hapkido and Blue belt in Brazilian Jiu jitsu (BJJ). The training keeps me fit and I love teaching both adults and children alike.

Stephen said.