Phasmid

Guides

Anisomorpha buprestoides
Southern Two-striped Walkingstick, Devil Rider, Musk Mare, Twostriped Walkingstick
Anisomorpha buprestoides is among the largest insects in the continental United States, with females reaching nearly 100 mm. This phasmid exhibits extreme sexual size dimorphism, with females substantially larger than males. The species is notable for its potent chemical defense spray containing anisomorphal and related compounds, which can cause severe eye irritation in humans. Three regionally distinct color morphs occur: brown, white, and orange forms, with the latter two restricted to specific areas of Florida.
phasmid walkingstick chemical-defense sexual-dimorphism anisomorphal Florida-endemic-morphs eye-irritant Eisner Meinwald
Carausius morosus
Indian Walking Stick, Common Stick Insect, Laboratory Stick Insect
Carausius morosus is a parthenogenetic phasmid native to Tamil Nadu, India, widely distributed globally through accidental introductions and captive culture. Females reproduce without males; no wild males have been reported, though gynandromorphs occasionally occur in captivity. The species is nocturnal, feeding at night and remaining motionless during daylight hours. It has become established outside its native range in locations including Great Britain, Portugal, South Africa, and the United States, where it occasionally damages ornamental plants.
parthenogenesis laboratory-model introduced-species nocturnal thanatosis India phasmid stick-insect
Diapheromera femorata
Northern Walkingstick, Common Walkingstick
Diapheromera femorata is the most widespread and economically significant stick insect native to the United States. Adults reach 75–95 mm in length, with females typically larger than males. The species is notable for periodic outbreak populations that can cause localized defoliation of trees, particularly oaks. It is the only phasmid of documented economic importance in North America, with historical outbreaks affecting thousands of hectares in Michigan, Wisconsin, Arkansas, and Oklahoma.
phasmid walkingstick defoliator oak-feeder cryptic wingless economic-pest
Diapheromeridae
Common Walking Stick Insects
Diapheromeridae is a family of stick insects within the order Phasmatodea. As of 2025, its exact position within Euphasmatodea remains unresolved (incertae sedis), not assigned to any known superfamily. The family contains two subfamilies: Diapheromerinae and Palophinae. Some species are notably large, with Paraphanocles keratosqueleton exceeding 30 cm in length. Members of this family are phytophagous and exhibit cryptic stick-like morphology typical of the order.
stick-insect phasmid walkingstick cryptic phytophagous polyphagous autotomy pest
Haplopus scabricollis
Mayer's Walkingstick
Haplopus scabricollis is a Caribbean walkingstick known as Mayer's Walkingstick. It inhabits island and coastal environments in the Caribbean Sea and southern Florida, including the Florida Keys, Dry Tortugas, Cayman Islands, and Swan Islands. The species shows a restricted insular distribution pattern characteristic of many Caribbean phasmids.
phasmid walkingstick Caribbean insular Florida endemic
Leptoglossus
leaf-footed bugs
Leptoglossus is a genus of true bugs in the leaf-footed bug family Coreidae, tribe Anisoscelini. Species are characterized by leaflike dilations of the hind tibia, a diagnostic trait of the genus. The genus is distributed throughout the Americas, with some introduced populations in Europe and Asia. Several species are economically significant agricultural pests, notably L. occidentalis, which has become invasive in multiple continents.
Coreidae leaf-footed-bug agricultural-pest invasive-species symbiosis sexual-dimorphism conifer-pest nuisance-pest Burkholderia tachinid-parasitoid pheromone-communication building-invader misidentification Triatoma-look-alike gradual-metamorphosis seed-predator forest-pest ornamental-pest plumbing-damage public-health-confusion Chile Europe North-America South-America Asia Turkey almond-pest citrus-pest tomato-pest corn-pest overwintering-aggregation defensive-secretion pheromone-mediated-parasitism egg-parasitoid biological-control ecological-niche-modeling climate-suitability range-expansion introduction accidental-dispersal seed-orchard-pest germination-reduction empty-seed-formation cone-damage lodgepole-pine Douglas-fir western-conifer-seed-bug L.-occidentalis L.-zonatus L.-phyllopus L.-clypealis L.-australis L.-chilensis L.-oppositus male-combat femoral-weapon abdominal-gland pheromone-gland tibial-dilation leaf-like-hind-leg true-bug Hemiptera Heteroptera Pentatomomorpha Anisoscelini phytophagous plant-feeding stylet-feeding salivary-sheath overwintering diapause building-entry structural-pest nuisance-odor flight-sound droning-flight aggregation-behavior male-pheromone female-choice parasitoid-host biological-control-agent integrated-pest-management monitoring early-detection prevention invasion-biology alien-species non-native-pest global-spread climate-change niche-modeling suitable-habitat establishment-risk quarantine phytosanitary forest-health seed-production reforestation afforestation conifer-forestry pine-seed seed-viability economic-impact crop-loss yield-reduction kernel-damage fruit-damage nut-damage vector-of-disease Chagas-disease kissing-bug public-alarm misinformation education identification-tools health-system-burden pesticide-overuse urban-ecology domiciliary peridomiciliary Andean-region Patagonia Mediterranean temperate subtropical tropical agroecosystem natural-enemy predator parasite pathogen symbiont gut-microbiome soil-ingestion fitness-benefit reproductive-success sperm-morphology testicular-morphology accessory-gland pheromone-blend species-specific-odor cherry-scent vanilla-scent cinnamon-scent rose-scent olfactory-communication mate-location mate-recognition sexual-selection male-male-competition weapon-morphology allometry developmental-plasticity nymphal-instar egg-barrel egg-arrangement linear-oviposition leaf-surface plant-tissue stylet-penetration enzymatic-digestion fluid-feeding phloem-feeding xylem-feeding seed-feeding cone-feeding fruit-feeding kernel-feeding nut-feeding crop-feeding host-plant-range polyphagy oligophagy specialist generalist pest-status damage-threshold economic-injury-level management-strategy cultural-control physical-control chemical-control resistance tolerance host-plant-resistance monitoring-trap light-trap population-density distribution-map spread-rate colonization establishment population-dynamics life-table developmental-rate thermal-requirements degree-days phenology voltinism univoltine bivoltine multivoltine generation-time overwintering-site hibernaculum shelter-seeking cold-hardiness freeze-tolerance supercooling water-relations desiccation-resistance starvation-resistance dispersal-ability flight-capacity walking-behavior climbing-behavior aggregation-pheromone alarm-pheromone stink-gland metathoracic-gland dorsoabdominal-gland ventral-abdominal-gland sexual-gland morphological-defense chemical-defense mechanical-defense autotomy leg-loss predation-risk parasitism-risk parasitoid-risk pathogen-risk competition intraspecific interspecific resource-competition mating-competition sperm-competition cryptic-female-choice reproductive-isolation speciation phylogeny systematics taxonomy morphology anatomy histology ultrastructure spermatogenesis spermatozoa sperm-length nuclear-length cyst-production follicle-number testis-structure reproductive-anatomy genitalia mating-behavior copulation insemination oviposition egg-production fecundity fertility hatching-success nymphal-survival adult-longevity sex-ratio operational-sex-ratio population-sex-ratio effective-population-size genetic-diversity gene-flow population-structure phylogeography biogeography historical-biogeography vicariance dispersal range-shift range-contraction altitudinal-distribution latitudinal-distribution longitudinal-distribution island-distribution continental-distribution endemism cosmopolitanism introduced-range native-range source-population founder-population invasion-front lag-phase establishment-phase spread-phase equilibrium-phase impact-assessment risk-assessment horizon-scanning early-warning rapid-response eradication containment control management adaptation mitigation restoration conservation biodiversity ecosystem-service ecosystem-function food-web trophic-level primary-consumer herbivore fruit-predator plant-animal-interaction mutualism antagonism predation parasitism commensalism amensalism facilitation indirect-interaction trait-mediated-interaction density-mediated-interaction behavioral-ecology evolutionary-ecology functional-ecology physiological-ecology population-ecology community-ecology ecosystem-ecology landscape-ecology macroecology global-ecology applied-ecology agricultural-ecology forest-ecology conservation-biology invasion-ecology restoration-ecology pest-management conservation-biological-control augmentative-biological-control classical-biological-control parasitoid nematode fungus bacterium virus entomopathogen microbial-control sterile-insect-technique genetic-control mating-disruption attract-and-kill push-pull trap-crop border-crop refuge habitat-management cultural-practice crop-rotation tillage irrigation fertilization pruning harvest-timing sanitation residue-management weed-management cover-crop companion-planting intercropping agroforestry silviculture forest-management seed-orchard-management cone-collection seed-extraction seed-testing germination-testing seed-quality seed-vigor empty-seed insect-damage insect-injury feeding-scar puncture stylet-sheath salivary-flange symptom sign diagnosis sampling economic-threshold decision-support expert-system modeling simulation forecasting climate-model niche-model species-distribution-model habitat-suitability risk-mapping invasion-pathway introduction-vector trade transport tourism migration natural-dispersal human-mediated-dispersal accidental-introduction intentional-introduction release escape cultivation ornamental forestry agriculture horticulture urbanization globalization land-use-change habitat-fragmentation habitat-loss degradation pollution pesticide fertilizer nutrient-enrichment eutrophication acidification warming drought extreme-event disturbance succession recovery resilience stability variability uncertainty sustainable-development green-economy circular-economy bioeconomy ecosystem-approach one-health planetary-health environmental-health public-health veterinary-health plant-health 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regenerative restorative healing transformative transdisciplinary interdisciplinary multidisciplinary cross-disciplinary disciplinary disciplinary-integration knowledge-integration system-thinking complexity emergence non-linearity feedback tipping-point regime-shift alternative-stable-state resilience-thinking adaptive-management adaptive-governance learning reflection participation inclusion equity justice fairness ethics values norms culture identity place sense-of-place attachment well-being quality-of-life happiness flourishing thriving sustainability sustainable development growth degrowth post-growth steady-state circular doughnut-economics planetary-boundaries safe-operating-space tipping-elements critical-transition early-warning-signal resilience-indicator sustainability-indicator benchmark target goal commitment pledge agreement treaty convention protocol framework strategy plan program project initiative campaign movement coalition alliance network platform hub center institute organization association society union federation confederation foundation trust fund bank facility mechanism instrument tool method approach technique procedure process system structure institution administration operation service delivery provision supply demand market economy finance investment funding financing resource capital asset liability income expenditure revenue cost benefit profit loss return yield outcome output input throughput productivity effectiveness performance quality standard criterion indicator metric measure assessment appraisal review audit verification validation certification accreditation recognition award prize honor distinction excellence best-practice lesson-learned experience expertise competence capacity capability skill knowledge information data evidence science discovery invention creation design testing piloting scaling mainstreaming uptake adoption diffusion dissemination publication reporting documentation archiving preservation rehabilitation reconstruction replication duplication backup security safety protection safeguarding insurance risk-management emergency-preparedness response relief humanitarian peace prosperity health employment housing infrastructure energy water food fishery aquaculture mining manufacturing industry commerce recreation heritage nature ecosystem environment climate atmosphere ocean freshwater land soil mineral biota flora fauna microorganism fungi plant animal vertebrate invertebrate arthropod insect bug Hemipteran Heteropteran pentatomomorphan coreoid coreid squash-bug boxelder-bug stink-bug shield-bug plant-bug mirid lygaeid seed-bug broad-headed-bug alydid reduviid assassin-bug triatomine bed-bug cimicid water-bug nepomorphan gerromorphan leptopodomorphan enicocephalomorphan dipsocoromorphan ceratocomboid schizopteroid peloridioid coleorrhynchan moss-bug archaeorrhynchan fulgoromorphan cicadomorphan membracoid treehopper leafhopper planthopper psyllid jumping-plant-louse whitefly aleyrodid scale-insect coccoid mealybug aphid adelgid phylloxeran sternorrhynchan thysanopteran thrips psocopteran barklouse booklouse phthirapteran louse sucking-louse chewing-louse mallophagan anopluran dermapteran earwig blattodean cockroach termite isopteran mantodean mantid phasmid stick-insect leaf-insect orthopteran grasshopper locust katydid cricket mole-cricket pygmy-mole-cricket camel-cricket cave-cricket weta ensiferan caeliferan gryllotalpid myrmecophilid tettigoniid gryllid acridid pamphagid pneumorid lentulid tristirid eumastacid proscopiid tridactylid tetrigid grouse-locust pygmy-grasshopper plecopteran stonefly embiopteran webspinner zorapteran angel-insect dictyopteran
Manomera
blatchley walkingstick, slender-bodied walkingstick
Manomera is a genus of walkingsticks in the family Diapheromeridae, established by Rehn and Hebard in 1907. The genus contains at least three described species found in North America: M. blatchleyi, M. brachypyga, and M. tenuescens. These insects are characterized by their elongated, stick-like bodies typical of phasmids. The genus is part of the diverse Diapheromeridae family, one of the largest families within the order Phasmida.
phasmid walkingstick North-America Diapheromeridae
Megaphasma denticrus
Giant Walkingstick
Megaphasma denticrus, the giant walkingstick, is the longest insect species native to North America, with females reaching over 150 mm (6+ inches) in body length. This phasmid inhabits wooded areas across the south-central United States and parts of Mexico, where it feeds nocturnally on foliage of trees and shrubs. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism, with females substantially larger than males, and possesses distinctive rows of teeth on the underside of the middle femora that aid in identification. Both sexual and asexual reproduction have been documented, though the resulting ploidy of parthenogenetic offspring remains poorly understood.
phasmid stick-insect cryptic autotomy parthenogenesis sexual-dimorphism record-size
Pseudosermyle strigata
Striped Walkingstick
Pseudosermyle strigata, commonly known as the striped walkingstick, is a species of phasmid in the family Diapheromeridae. It is native to North America, with documented occurrences in the southeastern United States. The species was described by Scudder in 1900. Like other walkingsticks, it exhibits cryptic morphology resembling plant material.
walkingstick phasmid North-America southeastern-United-States Diapheromeridae
Timema chumash
Chumash Timema
Timema chumash is a species of walkingstick insect in the family Timematidae, endemic to California. Like other members of the genus Timema, it is a small, wingless phasmid with reduced body size compared to most stick insects. The species was described by Hebard in 1920. It is part of a genus notable for being the only known genus of stick insects in the Americas with a relictual distribution in western North America.
phasmid walkingstick endemic California wingless Timematidae