May 18, 2024
A pair of mating southern two-striped walkingsticks (Anisomorpha buprestoides) in Big Creek Swamp, Florida, USA
by Alan Cressler
seen from United States
seen from Hong Kong SAR China
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from Spain
seen from Malaysia
seen from Ireland
seen from United States
seen from Canada
seen from China
seen from Germany
seen from Türkiye
seen from United States
seen from Germany
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from Israel
seen from United States
seen from Yemen
seen from Malaysia
A pair of mating southern two-striped walkingsticks (Anisomorpha buprestoides) in Big Creek Swamp, Florida, USA
by Alan Cressler
[PHOTOS TAKEN: JUNE 9TH, 2024 | Image IDs: Six photos of a southern two-striped walking stick insect on the white outer wall of a building, the last one having a human hand in frame for comparison /End IDs.]
Anisomorpha buprestoides, Southern Two Striped Walking Sticks
These guys are super cool. The larger one is a female, and the smaller one is a male that rides on her back while mating with her, basically until he dies.
These stick bugs have a defensive chemical that they can spray if they feel threatened. If it gets in your eyes, it can cause temporary pain/blindness for up to 5 days.
Stick insects mating, Parobrimus sp. by Andreas Kay Via Flickr: from Ecuador: www.flickr.com/andreaskay/albums
THROWBACK THURSDAY
Spiny moss-mimicking walking stick insect (Acanthoclonia sp.), Mindo Cloud Forest, Ecuador. January 2009.
Most walking stick insects in the temperate zone are thin, elongate species with long, slender limbs, giving them the appearance of twigs in the canopy. A common adaptation in high altitude regions like the cloud forests of Ecuador is for bodies to become more stout and compact, with shorter limbs and broader heads. Another interesting feature is the change in structure, as the walking sticks develop spines and ridges that, in addition to mottled colors give their bodies the appearance of moss growing on branches, which aid in their inactive periods during the day. Individuals are more active during the night.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a lot of information I can offer on this particular group (either not much is known about their life history or the information is difficult to find). I welcome any Phasmid specialists in providing more info on this taxon!
[PHOTOS TAKEN: JUNE 20TH, 2024 | Image IDs: Two photos of a large female and notably smaller male southern two-striped walking stick mating on a wooden board /End IDs.]
Black beauty stick insect (Peruphasma schultei) in Panama
by Art
A bit too dark to tell exactly but I believe this is Anisomorpha buprestoides, aka the southern two striped walking stick!