Stick-insect

Guides

Amiseginae
Amiseginae is a subfamily of cuckoo wasps (Chrysididae) containing over 30 genera and approximately 150 described species. These wasps are obligate parasitoids of stick insect eggs (Phasmatodea), a highly specialized ecological relationship that has persisted since at least the mid-Cretaceous. Females of some genera are flightless and exhibit ant-like morphology. The subfamily has a global distribution.
cuckoo-wasp parasitoid stick-insect Phasmida egg-parasitoid flightless-females Cretaceous-fossil biological-control
Anisomorpha ferruginea
Northern Two-striped Walkingstick, Dark Walkingstick, Prairie Alligator
A large, sexually dimorphic walkingstick native to North America, recognized by two longitudinal pale stripes running the length of its dark brown to black body. Females are substantially larger than males. The species possesses chemical defense glands behind the head that can spray a noxious terpene dialdehyde mist when threatened. Active primarily in autumn when mating pairs are most frequently observed.
walkingstick stick-insect chemical-defense sexual-dimorphism herbivore
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 tamaulipensis
Tamaulipas Walkingstick
Diapheromera tamaulipensis, commonly known as the Tamaulipas Walkingstick, is a species of stick insect in the family Diapheromeridae. The species was described by Rehn in 1909 and is native to the southern United States and Mexico. It belongs to a genus of walkingsticks known for their elongated, twig-like bodies and cryptic appearance. Based on related species in the genus, adults likely exhibit strong crypsis resembling plant stems.
Phasmida Diapheromeridae walkingstick stick-insect North-America Mexico Texas New-Mexico cryptic phytomimicry
Diapheromera velii
prairie walkingstick
Diapheromera velii, commonly known as the prairie walkingstick, is a species of stick insect in the family Diapheromeridae. It is native to North America and has been documented in prairie and grassland habitats, particularly in sandy areas. The species exhibits two recognized subspecies: D. v. velii and D. v. eucnemis. Like other walkingsticks, it relies on crypsis for predator avoidance.
walkingstick stick-insect prairie crypsis Phasmatodea Diapheromeridae North-America sand-dune Sevilleta
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
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 tenuescens
Slender-bodied Walkingstick
Manomera tenuescens, commonly known as the slender-bodied walkingstick, is a species of stick insect in the family Diapheromeridae. It is native to the southeastern United States. The species was first described by Scudder in 1900.
Phasmida Diapheromeridae walkingstick stick-insect southeastern-United-States North-America
Megaphasma
giant walkingstick
Megaphasma is a genus of giant walkingsticks in the family Diapheromeridae, containing at least two described species. The genus includes Megaphasma denticrus, recognized as the longest insect species in North America, with females reaching 150+ mm in body length. Members of this genus are characterized by their exceptional size, cryptic stick-like appearance, and distinctive morphological features including toothed mesofemora. The genus is primarily distributed in the south-central United States.
walkingstick stick-insect giant cryptic North-America
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
Parabacillus
Short-horn Walkingsticks
Parabacillus is a genus of short-horn walkingsticks in the family Heteronemiidae, established by Caudell in 1903. The genus contains at least three described species: Parabacillus coloradus, P. hesperus, and P. palmeri. These stick insects are native to western North America and are characterized by their cryptic, twig-like appearance. They are seldom encountered due to their excellent camouflage.
Phasmida Heteronemiidae walkingstick stick-insect cryptic western-North-America
Pseudosermyle catalinae
Catalina walkingstick
Pseudosermyle catalinae, commonly known as the Catalina walkingstick, is a species of stick insect in the family Diapheromeridae. It was described by Rentz and Weissman in 1981. The species is endemic to Santa Catalina Island, California, making it a geographically restricted phasmid with limited known observations.
endemic island-endemic California Santa-Catalina-Island Diapheromeridae Phasmida walkingstick stick-insect Rentz-1981 Weissman-1981
Timema
Timemas
Timema is a genus of small, wingless stick insects representing the sole extant member of the family Timematidae and suborder Timematodea. Native to mountainous regions of western North America, these insects are considered the sister group to all other stick insects, making them evolutionarily significant as a basal lineage. The genus exhibits remarkable diversity in reproductive mode, with five of twenty-one species being parthenogenetic, including two species that have reproduced asexually for over one million years—the longest known asexual period for any insect. Timema species display sophisticated cryptic coloration matching their host plants, with color morphs including green, gray, brown, and striped variants that have been extensively studied as models for ecological speciation and natural selection.
stick-insect walking-stick cryptic-coloration parthenogenesis ecological-speciation basal-lineage wingless chaparral nocturnal model-organism
Timema californicum
California timema
Timema californicum is a sexually dimorphic walkingstick insect endemic to California. Males are smaller than females and possess conspicuous cerci used to grasp females during copulation. The species exhibits hemimetabolous development with gradual morphological changes: hatchlings are phenotypically identical between sexes, juveniles show minor differences, and adults display pronounced sexual dimorphism. Males complete development with one fewer moult than females.
Phasmida Timematidae walkingstick stick-insect California-endemic sexual-dimorphism hemimetabolous X0-sex-determination
Timema cristinae
Cristina's Timema
Timema cristinae is a small, flightless stick insect endemic to a restricted region of southern California chaparral. The species exhibits striking color-pattern polymorphism with green, striped, and melanic morphs that provide differential camouflage on two host plants: Adenostoma fasciculatum (chamise) and Ceanothus spinosus. It has become a prominent model system for studying ecological speciation, host adaptation, and the interplay between natural selection and gene flow. The species reproduces sexually with females laying single eggs coated in ingested soil, which require soil contact for successful development.
stick-insect walkingstick camouflage polymorphism ecological-speciation host-plant-specialization chaparral-endemic flightless univoltine research-model