Walking Stick Insects
Look! It’s a
branch! No, it’s a twig! No,
it’s a stick! Look closely it is actually a Walking Stick Insect!
When these insects are in their natural habitat they can camouflage
themselves into their surroundings. Kind
of like a ghost I guess. I’ve
actually come across one before in its natural habitat and it blended in so
well, I didn’t even see it at first glance.
When I looked more closely, well lo and behold there it was.
I found this funny-looking insect very entertaining and that’s why I
decided to share some information with you, especially for those of you who
haven’t seen one yet. All right
let’s begin our journey into the life of a Walking Stick Insect with Nate’s
first question: “ANTie
Patti can you tell me what their diet consists of?” Sure! These
insects live on the plants they eat. Their
favorites are blackberry vines and rose bushes.
So if mom has a bunch of roses outside she may not be too happy to see a
wild stick insect snacking on her prize roses.
Amanda, you have a question? “What
about the females and do they lay eggs?” I’m glad you asked; Female walking sticks shed their skins
many times and are much larger than the males.
In fact the females can self-reproduce and can lay a great number of
eggs. We must also be careful as some walking sticks are foreign, can fly and
can carry poisons and can destroy vegetation.
Josh, you have a question? “Yes,
how long can walking sticks live?” Some
Tropical species can live more than two years.
The Indian Stick Insect lives about one year. Sebastian, you are awfully quiet today. Did you have a question?
“Yes ANTie Patti, where can they be
found?” Walking Stick Insects can
be found in forested or bushy areas, mostly tropical areas and other areas
around the world. Christian’s question? “How
do they hang onto their branches and plants?” That’s a good question too.
They also have both claws and suckers on their feet to help them cling to
their plants, branches or food. Are
there any more questions? Okay, I
think we have covered some of the basics to give you a closer look into this
interesting little insect’s life. So
now you have seen a picture of a Walking Stick Insect and learned a little about
them too. I hope I have been
helpful to all of you and you were able to learn a little more about our strange
and funny insects that walk this earth. It’s
possible to be near one and not even know it because they camouflage themselves
into their surroundings. That was one of the first things we learned above
remember? Great! We have now learned the basics about our Walking Stick Insects!
I think their name fits them well, don’t you?
Till we meet again…
Copyright
2001 By Author Patti Tricoli
