Stick insect

Phasmatodea

Irish Name: Cipíneach

There are over 3,000 species of stick insects. The species of stick insects at Dublin Zoo are: Black beauty, Indian, Macleay’s Spectre and Zompro’s/Thai marbled stick insects.

Stick insect

Phasmatodea

Irish Name: Cipíneach

There are over 3,000 species of stick insects. The species of stick insects at Dublin Zoo are: Black beauty, Indian, Macleay’s Spectre and Zompro’s/Thai marbled stick insects.

General Information

Where do they live? (Natural habitat)

Stick insects are present on every continent except Antarctica, though they are more abundant in regions with tropical climates.

How long do they live?

Stick insects can live from a few months up to three years depending on the species.

What do they eat?

Stick insects are herbivores (plant eaters) that eat leaves.

Zoo location

Discovery and Learning Centre

Closest related species / sister species

Stick insects are closely related to webspinners (Embioptera) and also grasshoppers and crickets (Orthoptera).

Animal class

Insecta

Animal order

Phasmatodea

Fun facts

Ghostly animals

Their Latin name Phasmatodea comes from the Ancient Greek ‘phasma’, meaning apparition, phantom or ghost. This referred to the fact that they resemble plants, while actually being animals.

Masters of disguise

Their patterns and colours camouflage them into their environment as sticks or leaves. If the wind is blowing they can sway their bodies to mimic leaves or sticks moving with the wind, so they remain hidden from predators.

Protective measures

Stick insects have a range of defences against predators including faking their death (remaining very still), releasing foul odours and releasing an entire limb to escape the grasp of a predator.

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Family Life

A male and female can mate for days or weeks on end. Some species of stick insect can reproduce parthenogenetically, which means that females can reproduce without a male being around. This type of reproduction only allows females to be born as they are clones of the mother. If the female mates with a male, both females and males can be born.
Young stick insects start their lives as eggs. After they hatch out of their eggs they are called nymphs. Nymphs go through several moults (shedding their skin) before they become adults.

Gestation (pregnancy) period

From a few days up to a year depending on the species.

Number of young at birth

A female stick insect can lay a few eggs at a time, adding up to hundreds of eggs over her lifetime.

Age of maturity

From 3 months to a year depending on the species.

Size male adult

Varying in size from 1cm to 30cm depending on the species.

Size female adult

Varying in size depending on the species. Females are normally larger than males with the longest females reaching up to 55cm.

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Conservation

Data Deficient to Critically Endangered

Depending on the species, stick insects are listed under various categories from Data Deficient to Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Current population estimate

Unknown

Threats

In general, stick insects are threatened by habitat loss, pesticide use, agriculture and drought.

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FAQs

  • What do stick insects eat?

    They’re herbivorous and mostly eat leaves.

  • Where can you find stick insects?

    Every continent except Antarctica.

  • Where do stick insects lay their eggs?

    In a range of places, including on the ground, under tree bark and on plants. Their eggs often look like seeds which may help them stay hidden from predators.

  • Are stick insects cold blooded?

    Stick insects can be considered as ‘cold-blooded’ as their body temperature is influenced by the temperature of the environment around them.

  • Are stick insects poisonous?

    Stick insects are not poisonous to humans, but some species spray a venom-like substance that can cause burning or irritation to predators to ward them off.

  • How do insects stick to walls?

    Many insects have things like stiff hairs, natural adhesives, and large claws that allow them to climb smooth surfaces.

  • How do stick insects eat?

    Stick insects have mouths and chewing mandibles.

  • Where do stick insects come from?

    Stick insects live on every continent except Antarctica.

  • Where stick insects live?

    Stick insects live on every continent except Antarctica.

  • Why do stick insects dance?

    It’s thought that stick insects dance to mimic the swaying of branches/leaves in a breeze.

  • Do stick insects bite?

    Stick insects are not known to bite.

  • How do stick insects breathe?

    Stick insects breathe with a set of tiny tubes called tracheae in their abomen.

  • How long does a stick insect live?

    Stick insects live up to three years, but it depends on the species.

  • How do stick insects stick to walls?

    They have soft sticky pads on their feet that allow them to climb smooth surfaces.

  • How many types of stick insects are there?

    There are nearly 3000 species.

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