Department of Entomology

Phasmida (Phasmatodea) (Walking sticks and Leaf insects)

Family Fact Sheet

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Phasmida - Brigham Young/VPI & SU PCD0330030

I. Background information

A. Origin of name

1. Latin for apparition or spector
2. Relates to camouflage

B. Classification

1. Suborders - 2
a. Anareolatae
b. Areolatae
2. America north of Mexico - 5 families, 9 genera, 31 species
3. World - ? families, ? genera, 2,500 species
4. Estimate of undescribe species - 5% in N. America

C. Common names - Walking sticks or Leaf insects

D. Type of metamorphosis - Paurometabolous

E. Phylogenetic relationships

1. Orthopteroid

II. Morphological characteristics

A. Stick-like (N. Amer.) or leaf-like (tropical)

B. Legs long and slender and not enlarged for jumping, diging, or capturing prey.

C. Abdomen long and slender

D. Body leathery

E. Antennae with 8-80 segments

III. Biological summary for the order

A. Life history

1. Eggs - distinctly shaped, resembling seeds. Scattered on ground. Eggs overwinter. Often take two years to hatch.
2. Nymphs - Hard to distinguish from adults except for rudimentary copulatory organ. Nymphs can regenerate legs. Few nymphal instars (2 in some species).
3. Adults
4. Single generation per year
5. Some species parthenogenetic (males completely unknown).

B. Habitat

1. Forest trees and bushes
2. Some species inhabit caves

C. Habits (mode of existence)

1. Feed on leaves

D. Collecting and preserving

1. Hand collected
2. 80% alcohol

E. Behavior

1. Nocturnal, feeders
2. Rest on twig during the day
3. Male hods female during mating with terminal claspers.
4. Eggs drop to ground as copulation takes place.

F. Significance

1. Economic - Rarely numerous enough to cause defoliation
2. Ecological - Hebivores