A Walking Stick?

One of our oddest groups of insects are the walkingsticks of the insect Order: Phasmida, which is Latin for apparition or specter. The survival strategy of these insects is clear; hide by appearing to be a twig. The body is long and thin, and the forelegs are at times held together and extended foreward as an extended line from the body. Walkingsticks are forest canopy dwellers and feed on tree leaves. They can be common in some areas but are not often seen unless they come to the ground. In Pennsylvania, walkingsticks are most common in some of the southcentral counties and, for example, are regularly seen in the area of WPC's Sideling Hill Creek office in Bedford County. Walkingsticks are entirely harmless.

Today's photograph was taken last autumn by Alicia Trexler, an Americor Volunteer at WPC's Watershed Assistance Center. She found this individual at her home near Indiana, Pa. The walkingstick was resting on her back door and dropped to the ground when the door was opened; loosing a middle leg in the process.

Walkingsticks are found in many temperate and tropical climates. Some species are more leaf-like, with wide flanges on their legs and bodies. The longest insect in the USA is the mega walkingstick (Megaphasma dentricus), which grows to a length of 7-inches (18-cm).

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