General characteristics of order Phasmatodea
As their name suggests these cryptic insects have the shape and colouring of the leaves and twigs of the plants they inhabit. Phasmids are distinctive insects and are often large to very large ranging in size from 30 to 300 millimetres in body length. Stick and leaf insects, when discovered will often drop to the ground and remain motionless rather than take flight. Some species will also shed legs when attacked, growing them back over time. Phasmids are distinguishable by the following features:
1) Body shape variable but most are elongate and cylindrical or flattened and resemble sticks, leaves or grass
2) 2 pairs of wings although some species are wingless
3) Wings when present consist of short, hardened forewings which form a protective cover over part of the larger membranous hind wings
4)Antennae are filiform and may be either short or long
5) Phasmid nymphs usually resemble adults but lack wings
As their name suggests these cryptic insects have the shape and colouring of the leaves and twigs of the plants they inhabit. Phasmids are distinctive insects and are often large to very large ranging in size from 30 to 300 millimetres in body length. Stick and leaf insects, when discovered will often drop to the ground and remain motionless rather than take flight. Some species will also shed legs when attacked, growing them back over time. Phasmids are distinguishable by the following features:
1) Body shape variable but most are elongate and cylindrical or flattened and resemble sticks, leaves or grass
2) 2 pairs of wings although some species are wingless
3) Wings when present consist of short, hardened forewings which form a protective cover over part of the larger membranous hind wings
4)Antennae are filiform and may be either short or long
5) Phasmid nymphs usually resemble adults but lack wings
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