#acanthoxyla

[drhoz]

#2436 - Acanthoxyla inermis - Prickly Stick Insect

AKA Acanthoxyla prasina.

A less common stick insect native to New Zealand, but introduced to parts of the UK, and to the south-west of the Republic of Ireland. The species is parthenogenic - only a single male has ever been found, in Cornwall in 2016.

Stick insects get a few mentions in Maori legend. All insects are respected children of Tane. If a stick insect (or mantis) landed on a woman it was said to be a sign she was pregnant. If a stick insect is present the location was unsuitable for a garden. If a stick insect landed on someone it was a sign they had entered a sacred place.

She seems to have a few parasitic mites attached as well.

Mangorei, Taranaki, New Zealand.

[lethotep]

Made a friend at the park this morning

[drhoz]

Prickly stick insect in a cornish garden. © www.jackperksphotography.com

[drhoz]

The most common species of stick insect found in the UK.

[drhoz]

This stick insect was right next to a Feijoa I was about to pick! This is a brown colour morph of Acanthoxyla prasina, native to NZ and found throughout the country. Its body was around 100mm long, so add the legs to that and this is a good-sized creature!