Eastern Hanging Scorpionfly vs Carmelae's Thorny Stick Insect

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Eastern Hanging Scorpionfly Carmelae's Thorny Stick Insect
Scientific Name Bittacus strigosus Trachyaretaon carmelae
Order Mecoptera Phasmatodea
Family Bittacidae Heteropterygidae
Size 20-28 mm wingspan 9-13.5 cm
Habitat Meadows Forests
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Eastern North America Philippines
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Eastern Hanging Scorpionfly

A North American hangingfly that hunts small insects while dangling from vegetation. Females assess male quality based on the size of prey offered as nuptial gifts.

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Did You Know?

Females will only mate with males that offer prey items above a certain size, rejecting males with inadequate gifts.

Carmelae's Thorny Stick Insect

A robust, thorny stick insect from the Philippines reaching up to 13.5 cm. It has rough, bark-like texture on its body surface.

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Did You Know?

Its heavily textured body makes it look exactly like a piece of rough bark when motionless.