BY JOSH AND JONAH pix.alaporte.net

BASIC ANATOMY This is the basic anatomy of a stick insect. There are three main body parts; the head, the abdomen and the thorax. Other body parts as well consist of the legs, tail and the toes.

Helpful or harmful Some stick insect have very mild toxins which they can spray if they are handled, such as the Florida stick insect. The spray can sting you and it will hurt you if it get you in your eyes. But you can wash it off with soap and water and it won't do any permanent damage. Other stick insects such as a Pink Winged stick insect secrete smelly liquids if they are frightened by handling, but these liquids are not harmful at all. Some of the larger stick insect like the giant spiny Eurycantha calcarata, are covered with pointy bits and will try to bite and pinch with their legs if they are picked up. They are actually strong enough to draw blood if they get a good grip on you.

Life cycle The stick insect life cycle start when the female puts her eggs on the ground. In the season the eggs have to survive weather changes. In order to survive the weather changes the egg has a little knob called the capitullum, that ants are attracted to. Here is an image of a stick insect egg on the ground.

Habitat Australia and New Zealand are the main habitats of the stick insect. (See the highlighted area of the map below). About 150 species of phasmids are found in Australia. They live in gum trees, bushes and fruit trees.

Food Chain Stick insects mostly eat plants such as leaves and all other forms of plant life. Stick insects do not eat other animals or insects.

Stick insect pictures