Can You Spot the Insect?

by Arsema Biruk, age 9

Stick insects, or leaf insects, are also known as Phasmids. The scientific name for these insects is Phasmatodea. They can look like twigs, leaves, or pieces of bark. This insect spends most of its time in tropical or temperate forests around the world.

Phasmids are herbivores; their diet consists of leaves, and so much more. They are able to survive so well thanks to their camouflage. Most phasmids are brown, green, or black, so they can blend in with plants and tree branches of similar color.

Young phasmids initially resemble ants, which helps them survive, as some predators do not eat ants. Their size is like no other; most stick insects only grow up to 12 inches, but phasmids are the largest and can grow up to 22 inches.

When phasmids are endangered by nearby predators, they will most likely fall to the ground and act dead to avoid being noticed. Phasmids are well-adapted insects and their clever survival tactics make them very interesting!

[Sources: National Geographic Kids; National Geographic]