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Common Stick insect

 

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Insecta

Order: Phasmatodea - walking sticks and leaf insects

Family: Phasmatidae

Scientific name: Clitarchus hookeri

Common name: Common stick insect, Smooth stick insect,

 

 

 

Stick insects are a group of plant-feeding insects characterised by a remarkable similarity to their host vegetation. Stick insects belong to the insect order Phasmatodea and are found throughout the world, being most common and diverse in the tropics.

Stick insects feed on vegetation and are usually active after dark. They can be found on a variety of native plants in addition to some introduced plants common in gardens. When disturbed, stick insects will often fall to the ground and 'play dead' for hours. Another bizarre behaviour is the 'dance', where the stick insect sways back and forwards for hours in a peculiar motion, the function of which is a mystery. Many stick insect species, including some New Zealand species, can reproduce without males, a mode of reproduction known as parthenogenesis. Stick insects are relatively common in New Zealand although introduced wasps and possums are a threat in some areas.

 

 

 

This common stick insect is a New Zealand native it is a very long insect, more than 75mm in length. It found in trees and shrubs, especially teatree and is well camouflaged. It feed on the leaves of manuka, kanuka and puhutukawa leaves Its smooth body can be bright green or light brown.

 

Courtesy of www.terrain.net.nz

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