Order Phasmida - Walkingsticks

Classification · Other Common Names · Synonyms and other taxonomic changes · Explanation of Names · Numbers · Identification · Range · Habitat · Food · Internet References · Works Cited

Walking stick, but what kind? - Anisomorpha buprestoides

Walking Stick (Phasimida) - Diapheromera femorata - male

Mating Stick bugs? Female approximately 4

Northern Walkingstick - Anterior Lateral - Diapheromera femorata - male

Female Northern Walkingstick? - Diapheromera femorata - female

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Phasmida (Walkingsticks)

Other Common Names

stick insects, sticks, devil's riding horse, prairie alligator, witch's horse, devil's darning needle, musk mare (Thomas 2003)

Synonyms and other taxonomic changes

Phasmatodea Jacobson & Bianchi 1902, Phasmatoptera, Cheleutoptera Crampton 1915

used to be treated as part of a broadly defined Orthoptera; molecular data places this group closest to the Notoptera—Embiidina lineage(1)

Explanation of Names

Phasmida Leach 1815

from Greek phasma (φασμα) 'apparition, phantom'

Numbers

29 spp. in 10 genera in our area(2), ca. 3000 worldwide(3); 16 spp. in 6 genera in TX(4)

Identification

Recent revision: (5)

Range

Largely tropical, mostly Oriental(2); in NA, much more diverse in the South, scarcely represented in the North

Habitat

Usually on trees/shrubs

Food

herbivorous

Internet References

Texas walkingsticks (Quinn 2012)

(6)

Works Cited

1.	Phylogenomics resolves the timing and pattern of insect evolution Bernhard Misof et al. 2014. Science Vol. 346, 763.

2.	American Insects: A Handbook of the Insects of America North of Mexico Ross H. Arnett. 2000. CRC Press.

3.	Brock P.D. Phasmida species file online. Version 5.0

4.	Texas Walkingstick Information, by Mike Quinn

5.	Stick Insects of the Continental United States and Canada Chad Arment. 2006. Coachwhip Publications.

6.	Conle O., Hennemann F. (2000-2013) phasmatodea.com -- The world of stick insects

Contributed by Troy Bartlett on 16 February, 2004 - 12:32pm
Additional contributions by cotinis, Beatriz Moisset, Mike Quinn, David Ferguson, ceiseman, v belov, Marci Hess
Last updated 31 July, 2024 - 6:08pm

Disclaimer: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service. We strive to provide accurate information, but we are mostly just amateurs attempting to make sense of a diverse natural world. If you need expert professional advice, contact your local extension office.

Contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content.
Click the contributor's name for licensing and usage information.
Everything else copyright © 2003-2024 Iowa State University, unless otherwise noted.

Bugguide is hosted by:

Printer Friendly Version