known order insects members variously known stick insects europe stick bugs walking sticks united_states canada ghost insects leaf insects generally family group derived ancient greek meaning phantom referring resemblance species sticks leaves natural camouflage makes difficult predators detect species secondary line defence form displays spines toxic genus includes world longest insects members order found world abundant tropics species living tree canopy life cycle stages eggs adults require eggs female offspring produced climates breed year round temperate regions females lay eggs autumn dying new generation spring species wings disperse flying restricted description relatively large ranging centimetres centimetres length females genus world longest insects measuring centimetres total length case including legs heaviest species likely females weigh cylindrical stick like bodies flattened shapes species reduced wings long winged species houses flight muscles typically shorter forms present pair wings narrow hardened hind wings broad straight veins length multiple cross veins body modified resemble vegetation ridges resembling leaf veins bark like forms camouflage species able change match surroundings project head uniform species legs typically long slender species capable limb long slender antennae long longer rest body species possess compound eyes light sensitive organs found winged males impressive visual system allows perceive significant detail dim conditions suits typically nocturnal lifestyle born equipped tiny compound eyes limited number grow successive number eye increased number cells sensitivity adult eye developmental stage eye grows complex mechanisms adapt dark light changes enhanced eyes dark conditions evidence screening block light daytime changes width layer adapt changes available light significantly pronounced adults larger size adult insects eyes makes prone radiation damage explains fully grown individuals nocturnal sensitivity light newly emerged insects helps escape leaf litter hatched upward brightly illuminated foliage young stick insects daytime freely expanding foraging range stick insects types pad legs sticky toe pads non stick heel pads little legs heel pads covered microscopic hairs create strong friction low pressure enabling grip having surface step sticky toe pads provide additional grip climbing level surface distribution found world numerous tropics greatest diversity found southeast_asia south_america followed australia central_america southern united_states species known island borneo making richest place world adaptations species exhibit mechanisms defense predators prevent attack happening place primary defense defenses deployed attack initiated secondary defense defense mechanism readily identifiable camouflage form plant known effectively forms sticks leaves bodies species covered supplement disguise remaining absolutely stationary disguise species ability change color surroundings shift adaptation supplement number species perform rocking motion body thought mimic movement leaves twigs breeze method stick insects avoid predation resemble twigs entering state insect adopts rigid posture maintained long period nocturnal feeding habits adults help remain concealed predators seemingly opposite method defense species seek predator flashing bright colors normally hidden making loud noise disturbed branch foliage species dropping escape open wings momentarily free fall display bright colors disappear insect lands maintain display minutes hoping predator convey appearance larger size accompany visual display noise parts wings antennae species young observed abdomen upwards body head resemble ants act defense mechanism insects avoid prey eggs species projections resembling structures attached seeds attract ants egg carried colony feeds egg develops nest protected environment threatened equipped spines legs respond abdomen upward repeatedly swinging legs threat menace caught spines draw blood inflict considerable pain species equipped pair anterior edge enables insect release defensive including chemical compounds varying effect produce distinct cause burning sensation eyes mouth predator spray contains volatile previously thought concentrated insect plant food sources likely insect defensive chemicals additionally chemistry defense spray species shown vary based insect life stage particular population chemical spray variation corresponds specific color forms populations florida different variants having distinct behaviors spray species treatment skin tribe constituents species employ shorter range defensive individuals bleed joints legs bothered allowing blood contains discourage predators ploy stomach contents harassed potential predators life cycle life cycle stick insect begins female deposits eggs methods flick egg ground movement entire abdomen carefully place eggs host plant bury small pits soil stick eggs substrate usually stem leaf food plant single female lays eggs mating depending species species meaning females lay eggs needing mate males produce offspring eggs virgin mothers entirely female hatch exact copies mothers stick insect species product usually non hybrids meaning retain ability mate sexual behavior depends presence abundance males eggs resemble seeds shape size hard shells lid like structure called anterior pole emerges hatching eggs vary length time hatch varies days average days species particularly temperate regions undergo development delayed winter months initiated effect short day lengths egg laying adults genetically determined broken exposure cold winter causing eggs hatch following spring species economic importance results development year cycles species eggs bear caps structure attracts ants resemblance plant seeds sought food sources larvae usually contribute ensuring seed dispersal ants form plant called ants egg nest underground remove feed larvae embryo egg young initially resembles instance eventually emerges nest climbs nearest tree safety foliage life cycle proceeding series case hatching caught cast skin egg capsule likely die free emerged eat cast skin adulthood reached species months lifespan varies species ranges months years ecology feeding leaves trees shrubs conspicuous component south american systems dominant light gap role forest ecosystem considered important scientists stress significance light gaps maintaining succession climax forests presence net production early plants consuming soil enables late succession plants established encourages recycling tropical forest recognized forest shade trees australia north_america plantations occur economic importance michigan wisconsin walking stick significant problem parks recreation sites foliage oaks severe walking stick occurred arkansas oklahoma insects eat entire leaf blade event heavy entire stands trees completely ravaged continuous years results death tree fortunately control efforts insects fly typically contained radius yards damage incurred parks region costly control efforts case typically involved chemical ground fires effective killing eggs obvious new_south_wales research feasibility controlling stick insects natural enemies parasitic taxonomy classification complex relationships members poorly understood furthermore confusion preferred authors incorrectly formed correctly formed widely accepted order considered related orders including uncertain grouping referred common ancestor invalid traditional set attributes members considered treated order features separate descended common ancestor group instance species pair inside defense presence specially formed hardened plate called allows male female mating order divided common division groups distinguished according insect sunken circular areas underside middle hind phylogenetic evolutionary relationships different groups poorly resolved questioned morphology eggs better basis classification alternative divide genus species genus species remaining taxa division fully supported molecular studies recover sister group group species described described museum collections wild fossils rare adults eggs isolated wings parts commonly found modern group families appear related generally universally agreed stem group stick insects species known productive fossil beds brazil members known england germany rare amber found early france described member family cretaceous amber according authors discovery provides reliable evidence clade containing living members genus clade containing living members earliest leaf insect fossil million year old germany size cryptic body form closely resembles extant species suggesting behavior group changed little time notable species australian species lord stick insect listed critically endangered believed extinct rock known effort underway australia rear species captivity best known stick insects indian laboratory stick insect insect grows roughly males recorded rare fossils extinct genus species recovered age sediments washington state usa species youngest members stem group europe europe species stick insect described belonging genera species live europe introduced example couple species native madagascar present southern england currently described species subspecies life cycle annual living hottest months especially gender usually comprise late spring early autumn behavior stick insects like praying rocking behavior insect makes rhythmic repetitive movements common interpretation behavior function mimicking vegetation moving wind movements important allowing insects objects background relative motion rocking movements generally insects replace flying running source relative motion help objects foreground mating behavior impressive long duration record insects stick insect found india coupled days time uncommon species assume mating posture days weeks end species pairing hours captivity overt displays aggression males mates suggests extended pairing evolved guard females sperm competition fighting competing males observed species encounters approach challenger causes existing mate manipulate female abdomen means organ block site attachment occasionally consort strike competitor mid equipped enlarged hooked spine sexes draw blood opponent body usually strong hold female abdomen blows deter unwanted competition occasionally competitor observed employ tactic female mate engaged feeding forced vacate dorsal position female abdomen insert discovered males enter combat lean backward female abdomen freely suspended engage rapid sweeping blows manner similar boxing usually gains attachment female abdomen conflicts result displacement original mate lengthy described terms defensive alliance pair predators handle chemical defenses bleeding individual stick insect enhanced paired females survive attacks predators significantly better pairing largely dorsal position male functions shield indicate manipulation females taking place females accept slow rate instance males forced remain longer female chances survival enhanced evolution simply favored males remained attached females longer females abundant males represent valuable prize lucky male sacrifice life preserve offspring female worthwhile sexual species females usually significantly larger males evolved fitness advantage males remain attached female blocking competitors severely movement form insects observed day concealed location going separate ways nightfall forage returning refuge dawn behavior little studied insects find way unknown human culture stick insects kept captivity species laboratories pets commonly kept indian laboratory stick insect eats vegetables botanical illustrator painted leaf stick insects saw travels 1870s eat eggs research conducted analyze stick insect method walking apply engineering legged walking robots instead centralized control system leg operates independently australia kinds stick insects kept pets including strong children
Phasmatodea