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Phasmatodea is an order of insects, whose members are variously known as stick insects, walking sticks (the larger forms), ghost insects and leaf insects. The name is derived from the Greek "phasma" meaning an apparition or phantom, and refers to the cryptic appearance and mimetic behavior of these insects. Some species are capable of secreting a substance from the shoulder joints of the front legs that is similar to pepper spray in that it causes an intense burning irritation of the eyes and mouth of potential predators on contact.

In old classifications they were considered a suborder of Orthoptera.

Notable species


One Australian species, the Lord Howe Island stick insect, is now listed as critically endangered. It was believed extinct until its rediscovery on the rock stack Ball's Pyramid.

Classification


Superfamily Timematoidea Parker, 1982 Superfamily Phyllioidea Karny, 1923 Superfamily Phasmatoidea Karny, 1923

External links


Insects | Phasmatodea | Neoptera | Cryptic animals

Vandrende pinde | Gespenstschrecken | Phasmatodea | Phasmatodea | Phasmoidea | מקלונאים | Phasmida | ナナフシ | Spøkelsesinsekter | Straszyki | Phasmatodea | Vandrande pinnar | 竹節蟲目

 

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the "Phasmatodea".

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