Walking sticks, also referred to as Phasmatodea, comprise an insect order commonly recognized by their remarkable resemblance to twigs or sticks. Their stick-like appearance serves as an effective form of camouflage to escape predation by blending in with other plant material.
Known for its camouflage abilities, the walking stick bug is a clever master of disguise as it seamlessly blends into its natural surroundings resembling the sticks or twigs it lives amongst. With over 3,000 species of walking stick bugs, these pests can be found practically everywhere except Antarctica, and yet, they can be difficult to spot—until you see a “stick” get up and walk away.
When it comes to correctly identifying unwanted pests hanging out in or around your home, we can help. But, remember, you don’t have to identify any bug specifically before calling our experts for assistance. Our Moxie experts can help you identify intruding pests and get rid of them in pet- and family-friendly ways.
Sticks, twigs, and branches are everywhere in nature. Many bugs have evolved to look just like them as a form of camouflage. Their stick-like appearance helps them blend into their environments and avoid predators. In this article, we’ll look at 15 of the most fascinating bugs that resemble sticks.
1. Walking Sticks
Walking sticks, also known as stick insects, are probably the bugs most famous for looking like sticks. With long, slender, cylindrical bodies and legs, they perfectly mimic the appearance of sticks and twigs. There are over 3,000 species found worldwide, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. Most walking sticks are herbivorous and feed on leaves. Their camouflage helps them remain undetected while munching away on foliage.
2. Stick Caterpillars
Many caterpillars have evolved to resemble sticks and twigs. Some common examples include hornworms, spanworms, and the peppered moth caterpillar. Their stick-shaped bodies help them blend in with branches and plant stems as they feed. Some even sway back and forth like twigs blowing in the wind! Their camo protects them from sharp-eyed birds and other predators.
3. Stick Grasshoppers
While not all grasshoppers look like sticks, there are a number of stick-like species. They have long, slender bodies with a uniform width and color that makes them look just like small twigs. Most are some shade of brown, yellow, or green. Some have knobby protrusions resembling buds or thorns for added realism. When motionless, they disappear against sticks and stems.
4. Stick Mantises
Mantises are renowned for their camouflage, and several species resemble sticks and twigs Stick mantises have raptorial forelegs like praying mantises, but long, narrow bodies They will sway as if blowing in the breeze to enhance their disguise while waiting to ambush prey. Some species perfectly match their environments, like lichen bark mantises.
5. Net-Casting Stick Spiders
Some spiders also mimic sticks, like the net-casting stick spider. This spider has an elongated, cylindrical body and long, stick-like legs. It hunts by building a small web attached to its front legs and will lunge forward to capture prey in its net. Its appearance helps it remain unnoticed by prey.
6. Plume Moths
Many plume moths have stick-like appearances. Species like the morning glory plume moth and grape plume moth have long, thin bodies and wings that they hold tent-like over their abdomens. Their wings and legs resemble twigs, helping them blend in against vegetation as they rest.
7. Stick Insects
Stick insects are aptly named for their resemblance to sticks floating on the water. They have cylindrical, stick-shaped bodies and use snorkel-like breathing tubes at the end of their abdomens to breathe while submerged. Their appearance makes them almost invisible as they hunt for prey in the water.
8. Twig Bugs
Twig bugs, a type of beetle, resemble little sticks or pieces of bark. They have cylindrical bodies tapered at each end and markings that mimic bark texture. Their antennae are shaped like twigs as well. They feed on fungus and mildew growing on dead wood and are found throughout North America
9. Walkingstick Leaf Insects
Leaf insects belong to the same order as walking sticks (Phasmatodea) but have even more astonishing camouflage. Their bodies are wide and flattened like leaves, complete with leaf-like veins, midribs, and edges. Some species even have leaf-shaped limbs and brown spots mimicking fungus or decay. When resting among leaves, they disappear.
10. Stick Shield Bugs
Shield bugs get their name from their distinct shape. Some species, like the stick shield bug, have flattened, leaf-like bodies. Their stick-shaped pronotums (neck area) resemble twigs. They can also sway like blowing leaves to vanish among foliage. Their camo helps them avoid predators as they feed on plants and grasses.
11. Twig Bush Crickets
Bush crickets include many incredible stick impersonators. Twig bush crickets have long, slender bodies and legs perfectly resembling the sticks and branches of their host trees and shrubs. They come in shades of brown, grey, or green and even have markings that look like buds and knots in the ‘wood.’
12. Stick Katydids
Katydids are masters of camouflage, and several species resemble sticks. Stick katydids have flattened, elongated bodies and legs shaped like twigs. They feed and rest among twigs and foliage, swaying in breeze to mimicbranches. Their stick-like appearance helps them avoid birds and other katydid hunters.
13. Memory Stick Crickets
Memory stick crickets are aptly named for their uncanny resemblance to small memory sticks or flash drives. They have remarkably rectangular, stick-shaped bodies and feed on plants and fungus. Their unique shape helps them disappear among twigs and branches as they rest or feed. They are found in Southeast Asia.
14. Great Twig Eaters
These stick insects found in Indonesia truly do look like they could be nibbling on twigs. Great twig eaters have huge mouthparts extending far out that give them an almost comical appearance. Their elongated, cylindrical bodies and legs resemble sticks, helping provide camouflage as they feed on shrubs and trees.
15. Lichen Stick Insects
Lastly, lichen stick insects take camouflage to the next level. Their bodies are covered in bumps and outgrowths resembling lichen or bark to help them blend in. Their lichen-like legs resemble multiple thin twigs. When motionless among lichen-covered branches, they are almost impossible to spot, even for keen predators.
As you can see, the insect world contains an incredible diversity of stick-mimickers. Their twig and branch camouflage helps them survive by hiding from predators and sneaking up on prey. Just be careful not to mistakenly pick up one of these bugs next time you’re out collecting kindling for a campfire!
How to identify a Walking Stick Bug
If walking stick bugs are well-known for their camouflage abilities, you may be wondering how to correctly identify them. Since walking stick bugs can be so tricky to spot, they are often referred to as a “ghost insect.” While there are multiple variations among the different species of stick bugs, there are also some common ways you can identify them.
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Walking sticks, also referred to as Phasmatodea, comprise an insect order commonly recognized by their remarkable resemblance to twigs or sticks. Their stick-like appearance serves as an effective form of camouflage to escape predation by blending in with other plant material.
Known for its camouflage abilities, the walking stick bug is a clever master of disguise as it seamlessly blends into its natural surroundings resembling the sticks or twigs it lives amongst. With over 3,000 species of walking stick bugs, these pests can be found practically everywhere except Antarctica, and yet, they can be difficult to spot—until you see a “stick” get up and walk away.
When it comes to correctly identifying unwanted pests hanging out in or around your home, we can help. But, remember, you don’t have to identify any bug specifically before calling our experts for assistance. Our Moxie experts can help you identify intruding pests and get rid of them in pet- and family-friendly ways.
The Stick Insect – Your NEW Favorite Insect!
FAQ
Are walking stick bugs harmful?
For the most part, they shouldn’t be dangerous for you to interact with. Are stick bugs poisonous? Some species of stick bugs can emit fluids that are meant to ward off their predators. You should avoid getting these fluids into sensitive areas — like your eyes.
What are the brown stick looking bugs?
Walkingsticks are long, slender insects that are perfectly camouflaged to look like brown or green twigs. They chew tree leaves.
What looks like a stick insect?
What looks similar? Some species of grasshoppers greatly resemble stick insects in behaviour and appearance. They differ from stick insects by their pronotum (segment behind head), which appears to �drape over the sides.
Can you touch a walking stick bug?
Stick insects are generally harmless to humans. They do not bite or sting and are not venomous. Their primary defense mechanism is camouflage, allowing them to blend in with their surroundings to avoid predators. While they can grasp objects with their legs, their grip is not strong enough to cause harm.
What bugs look like sticks?
Another highly common species of bug that look like sticks include the Small Engrailed Caterpillar (Ectropis crepuscularia). This is a species that comes in numerous colors, including black, yellow, and brown. Unlike Pepper Moth Caterpillars, Small Engrailed Caterpillars grow both on trees such as ash and plants such as honeysuckle.
How can you tell if you have a stomach bug?
Stomach bug is actually a virus, bacteria or a parasite consumed with food. It causes severe vomiting, loose stools and pain in tummy which can be spasmodic. Always one cannot tell its due to infection, as even allergy, some antibiotic use can cause same complaints. However, when a person eats outside food, prepared in unhygienic conditions, then infection is the most common reason. Hence proper handwashing techniques to be followed, eat only properly prepared and covered food outside or avoid altogether, wash fruits, vegetables and cereals well before using can help to avoid infections. If in doubt that there can be an infection, promptly consult a physician, as medicines helps better in those cases than homemade remedies.
Do stick insects look like sticks?
Stick insects, also known as stick bugs or walking sticks, are part of the order Phasmatodea. One of their common traits is that they physically resemble sticks.
Do walking stick bugs look like trees?
It depends on the trees in their native habitat: as walking stick bugs evolved to look like an indigenous twig or branch, and there are some other subtle — and less than subtle — variations between each subset of this insect.
Why do stick bugs resemble sticks?
Stick bugs look like sticks to avoid detection by their natural predators. This is a process called crypsis, which helps them blend in with their surroundings. There are exceptions, such as the Achrioptera manga species, where the males are blue.
What does a walkingstick insect look like?
Five North American families in the order Phasmida (sometimes Phasmatodea) (walkingsticks) Walkingsticks, or stick insects, genuinely look like walking sticks: They are perfectly camouflaged to look like brown, tan, gray, or green twigs. The legs, body, and antennae are long and slender. The legs are all roughly the same length.