I was scanning treetops for birds last September at Prophetstown State Park here in Indiana when I spotted something entirely different. Though not often seen, these cryptic insects aren’t at all uncommon: It’s a testament to their camouflage that they so rarely catch the eye. Talk about peak introvert design!
If you’re not sure what I’m talking about, I placed the watermark on this image near the head of the walkingstick insect that is imitating a twig on the tree trunk. Probably a common walkingstick (Diapheromera femorata), they can be found throughout the United States and parts of Canada.
Like the dragonflies on Friday, the walkingsticks- known also as stick bugs- are not true bugs (Hemiptera), but fall into a different order, Phasmatodea. Derived from the Greek word for “phantom,” it’s a great appellation for these fascinating animals.
Leave a comment