Stick Insects are also known as stick-bug, phasmid, leaf insect, bug insect and walking stick etc. There are approximately 3,000 different species of stick insects. They are found in all continents except Antarctica.
They generally mimic their surroundings in color, usually green, brown, grey etc. Some species such as Carausius Morosus are even able to change their pigmentation to match their surroundings.
Some species even sway from side to side in the wind to mimic twigs blowing in the breeze. Like any other insect they also have six legs, two antennae and their body is divided in three segments. (head, thorax and abdomen).
Quick Facts: –
- The natural range of Stick Insect is very broad. They live at high and low altitudes, in temperate and tropical temperatures and in dry or wet conditions.
- They are nocturnal creatures which mean they are only active at night.
- There is a common misconception about them that they are highly venomous which is not true at all.
- They drop their eggs randomly on the forest floor. When scattered on the forest floor, these eggs look like seeds.
- By dropping the eggs the insects lessen the chances that a predator will find all the eggs and eat them.
- These insects may attract ants which then collect and store the eggs in their nests.
- When threatened they will abruptly drop from wherever they are perched, fall to the ground and stay very still.
- Stick Insects also hold the record for being the longest insects in the world.
- The average lifespan of a stick insect is 1-2 years, depending on the species.
- Females are able to reproduce almost entirely without males. They can produce hundreds of all-female offspring without ever mating.
- Males of most of the species are able to fly, enabling them to find females.
