|
STICK INSECT FACTS |
Identification
Ctenomorpha chronus is a large stick insect. Males are fully winged and can fly, while females are much larger with reduced wings. The wings are small and black with green leading edge. The head, prothorax (first segment of the thorax) and legs are light pinkish brown. The mesothorax (middle section of thorax) and abdomen are blackish green. The mesothorax has small black tubercles. The abdomen has black spots at the tip of each segment. The cerci at the tip of the abdomen are prominent.
Size
length 18cm
Habitat
heath and woodland
Food
feeds on leaves from Eucalyptus and other tree species
Breeding
The female lays elliptical eggs about 3mm long and look like plant seeds. The eggs drop to the forest floor during summer and hatch later the same year. The male goes through six instars (seven for the female) before reaching maturity. Ctenomorpha chronus are parthenogenetic (capable of producing young from unfertilised egg).
Classification
| Class: | Insecta | | Order: | Phasmatodea | | Family: | Phasmatidae | | Genus: | Ctenomorpha | | Species: | chronus | | Common Name: | Stick Insect |
|
|
