Phasmatodea+(Stick+Bugs)

=Phasmatodea (Walkingsticks, Stick Insects, Leaf Insects, Phasmids)= Fig 1: Stick insect on a tree branch


 * Taxonomy**
 * Kingdom: Animalia
 * Phylum: Arthropoda
 * Class: Insecta
 * Suborder: Exopterygota
 * Order: Phasmatodea


 * Major Families**
 * Phasmatidae (Walkingsticks)-mimic sticks and twigs
 * Timemidae (Leaf Insects)-mimic leaves and foliage

The name Phasmatodea is derived from the greek word "phasma" which means phantom, referring to the cryptic display physically and behaviorally characterized by this order (1). All species are herbivores and feed on the leaves of plants, along with other green plants, fruits, and berries (2). They are found worldwide in habitats such as forest, jungles, and woodlands, although they are primarily tropical (2).
 * Description**

media type="custom" key="24388288" Fig. 2: David Attenburough discussing a relationship with stick insects and ants


 * Physical Features**
 * Antennae long, slender
 * mouthparts are mandibles
 * body long, cylindrical
 * prothorax shorter than meso- or metathorax
 * leg segments long and slender
 * tarsi 5-segmented
 * cerci short, unsegmented

Fig. 3: All Phasmatodea undergo incomplete metamorphosis or hemimetabola which consists of three stages: egg, nymph, and adult
 * Life Cycle/Behavior**

The eggs are ovular in shape and with a hard shell that protects them from predators and when they are born. When the eggs are ready the mother simply drops them to the ground into the leaf litter. There is no known cases of maternal care of these eggs, but ants have been observed to take these eggs back to their nests where they are stored in a parasite-free environment. The ants eat some eggs if they do not have enough resources, but they mainly feed on the outgrowths on the eggs which provide for edible rewards (Marshall 2006). Nymphs climb into trees allowing them to camouflage naturally gaining protection from predators. Some are able to change colors helping them blend further into the background increasing protection from predators. A few species are capable of chemically defending themselves where others use defensive behavior such as death feigning, concealing coloration, conspicuous wing displays, metathoracic leg movements, and defensive secretions (Bedford 1978).

Images Figure 1. Photo taken by Matt Edmonds 
 * References:**

Figure 2. BBC clip of David Attenburough, found on Youtube.com

Figure 3. Incomplete metamorphosis < http://www.watchdk.com/modules/com_gk2_photoslide/incomplete-metamorphosis-1011.html>

1.Meyer, John R. "Classification & Distribution." //ENT 425 //. N.p., 8 Apr. 2009. Web. 5 Nov. 2013.

2. "Stick Insect." //(Phasmatodea) //. A-Z Animals, n.d. Web. 5 Nov. 2013.

3.Bedford, Geoffry O. "Biology and Ecology of Phasmata." //Annual Review of Entomology //23.125-149 (1978): 6147. Print.

4. Marshall, Stephen A. "Pg. 64." //Insects: Their Natural History and Diversity. // Buffalo, NY: Firefly (U.S.), 2006. N. pag. Print.