A tree stands in a forest under a cloudy sky. Suddenly it appears as if a twig is crawling down the trunk. The object isn’t actually a twig that’s sprung legs—it’s a stick insect. The stick-like trickster uses its appearance to protect itself from enemies so it doesn’t end up in, well, a sticky situation. FOOLED YA Stick insects—also known as walking sticks—live in tropical and temperate (or mild) forests all over the world. Related to grasshoppers, crickets, and mantises, these creepy-crawlies are usually brown, green, or black. They’re also the world’s longest insects. The largest one ever found stretched 22 inches with its legs extended. (Most are only up to 12 inches long.) This bug spends much of its time in trees, munching on leaves. When predators such as birds approach, the insect tries to remain completely still in order to blend with the branches. If a predator isn’t fooled and grabs the bug by the leg, it’s no big deal. The insect can detach the leg and scuttle away. It will later regenerate, or grow back, the lost limb. A GOOD EGG About 3,000 species of stick insects exist. Some are master mimics even before they hatch. The females from these species lay eggs that look like plant seeds. This prevents carnivorous insects from eating the eggs. This crawler really knows how to go undercover. Text by April Capochino Myers
Walkingstick, Camouflage, Defense, Mimicry
Framed Nesiophasma Species Large Stick Insect
Indian Stick Insect Care Sheet
Stick Insects, Creature Encounter
Giant Prickly Stick Insect
Ctenomorpha marginipennis - Wikipedia
Stick Insect Breeding Guide
Species Spotlight: The Lord Howe Island Stick Insect Is Holding Its Ground — for Now • The Revelator
Walkingsticks (Stick Insects) Missouri Department of Conservation
Vietnamese Stick Insect - Ramulus artemis
Stick insects – Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand