STICK INSECT

STICK INSECT

Kingdom:      Animalia

Phylum:          Arthropoda

Class:            Insecta

Subclass:      Pterygota

Infraclass:      Neoptera

Superorder:  Exopterygota

Order:            Phasmatodea

There are in excess of 3,000 described species

Segmented Antenna

Front leg was stretched towards front very close to the antenna when resting

Vanes in the wings were prominently seen

Male was small compared with female in length and size and some more dark in colour

Mating takes hours (May be 6or more hours)

Female can fly while mating

The  stick insect and leaf insect (order: Phasmida) are almost confined to the tropics and subtropics. Most of them are fairly large. They always live and feed among vegetation and are protected by their resemblance to the surroundings, this their name. They are very difficult to see when they are resting among twigs and branches. Stick insects feed at night

MY OBSERVATIONS

04-10-1991 – Eggs seen in a thin dry twig

                        Eggs are brown in colour with white covering except in top

08-10-1991 – Hatchlings emerged from eggs at 9.00 PM

                        Dark Orange in colour. Antennae are prominent and having a length equal to the body. Black eyes

                        Tail end of the body was curved upwards