Stick Insect

Phasmida

Photo courtesy of   National Geographic

The stick insect is so unique as it resembles a twig or stick. What a great camouflage!  Stick Bugs are Herbivores, known to  eat plants this is their main source of food.

There is 3000 species in North America.  The range in size from the tiny, half-inch-long ,  Timema cristinae of North America, to the formidable 13-inch-long , Phobaeticus kirbyi of Borneo. This giant measures over 21 inches ,  with its legs outstretched, making it one of the world’s longest insects. Females are normally larger than males.

 Typically these insects are shades of brown, although some may be green, black, gray, or blue. They will mimic the color of their surroundings making them less vulnerable to other predators.

Found predominantly in the tropics and subtropics—although several species live in temperate regions—stick insects flourish in grasslands and forests , where they feed on leaves. Mainly nocturnal creatures, much of the day they spend their time motionless, hiding  under plants.

What most fasinates me about stick bugs is not only their appearance but how they reproduce .  Males are not needed for reproduction.

This unusual insect is one to take notice of.  As so many insects can get a bad rap , their is actually some good unique looking insects to not only give you a great photo moment ,  but is in our enviroment for a purpose , to grow in the wild and live as they should.