Stick Insects
There are 3 families & 2,500 species of Stick & Leaf insects in the order of “PHASMATODEA”. Australia has 150 described species of the Stick Insects. Leaf Insects are more commonly located in other parts of the world.
These insects are medium to large sized from 30mm to 250mm long.
Males of the species tend to be smaller & thinner, both sexes develop wings but only the males can fly. During the day they remain motionless, using their highly convincing stick like appearance to protect themselves from predators. Adults & Nymphs are Plant eaters, their diet consists of Eucalypt gum leaves where they mainly feed at night time.
When the eggs hatch, the insects look like small wingless versions of Adults, and they move very fast just like ants. They moult several times before reaching to complete adult hood, the insects eat their own skin as a source of protein. One amazing thing about them is that they are able to regenerate lost appendages, lost leg & antennae. Pathenogenesis is available to some species, where an adult female will lay eggs without a male, & the nymphs will hatch out to be clones of the mother.
Children’s Stick Insect
(Tropidoderus childrenii)
IMAGE***** - COMING SOON!
Color: Males dark brown, Females - Green
Active period of Adults: Summer
Length: Adult females can grow up to 140 mm
Habitat: Nymphs & Adults live in amongst Eucalypt trees
Status/distribution: common in NE Victoria