Where Do Walking Sticks Live?

Walking stick insects or phasmatidae live world-wide in temperate, tropical and subtropical climatic zones. These herbivorous insects disguise themselves as part of the plants they feed upon, with body camouflage that mimics sticks or even leafy twigs. Species of walking sticks have adapted to desert climates, temperate forests and prairies and jungle rain forests.

  1. Numbers

    • Most of the 3000 known species of walking sticks live in tropical rain forests. Walking sticks evolve to match the plants upon which they feed and spend most of their lives hidden in the vegetation that sustains them. In temperate zones in the fall, they may cluster in large numbers on warm surfaces and sheltered areas such as doorways as they seek protection from the cold. Under favorable conditions, they may be so numerous that plants harboring them are stripped of leaves.

    Nocturnal

    • Walking sticks feed mostly at night. In the daytime, these slow-moving insects cling to the undersides of leaves and branches, nearly invisible to predators. Stick insects grow to large size and are a favorite prey of many predators. Birds and reptiles as well as monkeys and other primates consider them a favorite meal. Bats prey most effectively on the walking sticks, locating them by listening to the noise they make as they feed.

    Reproduction

    • Only about one out of every 1,000 walking stick insects is male. Without a male partner, the female walking stick still lays fertile eggs--all the eggs laid by an unfertilized female produce female offspring. When mating does occur, the process may take several hours. Females usually attach their eggs to the bark of their home plant, although some species lay eggs in ground debris and others depend upon ants to disperse their young.

    Camouflage

    • Most walking sticks have evolved camouflage to match the plants that sustain them. A few can change color to match their surroundings. Some rain forest species of walking sticks mimic leafy twigs and grow to large size. A variety from New Guinea can be nearly 2 feet long at maturity. The giant Australian walking stick with a mature length of about 6 inches mimics the look of a dead leaf, swaying in the breeze if threatened.

    Behavior

    • Few stick insects present any threat to humans or pets. Anisomorpha buprestoides, an American stick insect common in the southeastern U.S., may squirt an acidic fluid if disturbed. A range of 1 or 2 feet limits the danger, but if the acid should hit a child or a pet in the eyes, flush with clean water and seek medical attention. Stick insects in North America often respond to threats by raising the abdomen and mimicking a poisonous scorpion, but don't sting.