Giant Walkingstick vs Southern Oak Bush-Cricket
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Giant Walkingstick | Southern Oak Bush-Cricket |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Megaphasma denticrus | Meconema meridionale |
| Order | Phasmatodea | Orthoptera |
| Family | Phasmatidae | Tettigoniidae |
| Size | 75-180 mm | 11-15 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Forests |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | North America | Southern and Western Europe (expanding northward) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Giant Walkingstick
The longest insect native to North America at up to 180 mm. Completely wingless and nocturnal. Named for small spines under its mesofemur.
Did You Know?
At 7 inches long, this is North Americas largest insect by length — yet it is so well camouflaged as a twig that most people walk right past them without noticing.
Southern Oak Bush-Cricket
A small, wingless relative of the oak bush-cricket that has rapidly spread northward across Europe, likely aided by accidental transport in vehicles. It is fully arboreal and flightless.
Did You Know?
Being flightless, it likely spread across Europe by hitchhiking on cars and trucks parked under infested trees.