- Diapheromera covilleae
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This article is about the Creosote Bush Walkingstick species.. For the character of the same name, see Mother 3.
Creosote Bush Walkingstick 
Diapheromera covilleae, Sonora, Mexico Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: phasmida Family: Diapheromeridae
Rehn and Hebard, 1909The Creosote Bush Walkingstick compose family Diapheromeridae[1], of stick-like insects about 5–10 cm long depending on the sex, with small eyes and large tarsal hooks at the end of each leg for superior grip to branches or other objects. They have horn-like spines on the head and anus. It also does not have wings so it travels by walking along branches of trees and bushes sometimes walking along the ground in search for the next perch or food source. Females are usually 3–4 cm longer than males and have a larger body. Females are also grey in color as males are more brown in color[2].
Creosote Bush Walkingsticks are herbivores feeding on Creosote bush leaves, Chunari leaves, and various other plants. Common predators of the walkingsticks include birds, and lizards.[3] Creosote Bush Walkingsticks are fairly common, but because they are nocturnal and very well camouflaged, they are hard to spot. They inhabit deserts and cactus forests. They are found in the Sonoran Desert located throughout the Southwestern United States and much of Northwestern Mexico.[4]
Other information
The Creosote Bush Walkingstick only moves and feeds at night. It has four mandibles in front of its compound eyes that can grab and chew leaves why still giving the insect perfect vision of its surroundings. The antennae can reach up to 6 cm long and are used to sense prey, food, and a mate that may be nearby.
External links
- http://bugguide.net/node/view/93389
- http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=666769
- http://www.arizonensis.org/sonoran/fieldguide/arthropoda/diapheromera_covilleae.html
References
Categories:- Insects of North America
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