Tropidoderus childrenii

Tropidoderus childrenii, the Children's stick insect, was first described in 1833 by Gray.

Tropidoderus childrenii
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Phasmatodea
Family:
Phasmatidae
Genus:
Tropidoderus
Species:
T. childrenii
Binomial name
Tropidoderus childrenii
Gray, 1833

Description

These relatively large stick insects generally measure about 110 millimetres (4.3 in) in length and are native to Eastern Australia.[1]

Generally, the female insect is a medium green color and closely resembles leaves, thus making it difficult to spot in the foliage. A large, dark blue spot can be found on each hindwing at the base of the remigium and anal lobe. This dark spot is usually hidden when the wings are folded down.[2] The nymphs also have a long yellow strip that runs down the center of their bodies which exactly matches the color of the leaf vein. The males can look very different, usually more slender and reddish-brown in color.[3]

Life Cycle

During adulthood the Children's stick insect mates more than once and females lays eggs its whole life as an adult. The males fly between trees in search for the females to mate with. the females are much larger and heavier than the males and tend to not fly very far or very often. Once they mate, the females will lay the small, oval, gray eggs that will drop to the leaf litter.[3] From Winter to Autumn, (winter laid autumn hatched) the eggs will hatch, forming an army of baby stick insects.

Habitat

They usually live in areas with eucalyptus tree as their main source of food is the leaves of various Gum or Eucalyptus trees.

Defense
The dark blue spot can be seen on the underside of the wings. Most likely used to startle potential predators.

When disturbed, the Children's stick insect will detach its hind legs from the foliage and repeatedly strike them together. Additionally, it will flap its hindwings up and down, flashing the dark blue splotches hidden underneath.[2] It has been shown in mantid species that actions like these described can startle and deter predators such as lizards and so it is believed this is the case in the stick insect as well.[2] Furthermore, the Children's stick insect has the ability to drop a limb in order to escape a predator, similar to how lizards can drop their tail.[3]

See also
  • List of Australian stick insects and mantids

References
  1. Phasmid Study Group: Tropidoderus childrenii
  2. Bedford; Chinnick (1966). "Conspicuous Displays in two Species of Australian Stick Insects" (PDF). Animal Behaviour. 14 (4): 518–521. doi:10.1016/S0003-3472(66)80053-2. PMID 5972809 – via Elsevier Science Direct.
  3. "Children's Stick Insect – Bugs Ed". Retrieved 2020-12-17.


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