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Index of Bugs
Stick insects have long, slender bodies with long, thin legs. Their legs are spaced far apart on the thorax. They are usually green or brown, allowing them to blend in with trees, leaves, and twigs. This is their primary defense and camouflage against predators such as birds. They are nocturnal animals, meaning they are mostly active and feed at night. Stick insects are herbivores. They have powerful mandibles to chew leaves.
Stick insect nymphs look like small adults. The nymphs crawl back up into the plants and trees after they hatch. Stick insect nymphs molt several times before they become adults. It usually takes a few months for the nymphs to mature into adults.
Female stick insects can lay up to 1,000 eggs. They drop their eggs randomly to the ground. The eggs look like tiny seeds and may stay on the ground for up to three years before hatching.
Stick insect eggs have a hard, tough shell and a knob called a capitulum. The hatching stick insect pushes the capitulum off to emerge from its egg.
Stick insect nymphs look like small adults. The nymphs crawl back up into the plants and trees after they hatch. Stick insect nymphs molt several times before they become adults. It usually takes a few months for the nymphs to mature into adults.
To learn more about Walking sticks and to see them in action, order the Backyard Bugs DVD.
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