Lichen-mimicking Stick Insect vs Winged Stick Insect

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Lichen-mimicking Stick Insect Winged Stick Insect
Scientific Name Pseudodiacantha macklottii Megacrania batesii
Order Phasmatodea Phasmatodea
Family Phasmatidae Phasmatidae
Size 120-160mm 100-140mm
Habitat Beaches & Coastal Beaches & Coastal
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Oceania Oceania
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Lichen-mimicking Stick Insect

A large stick insect with a rough textured body covered in small outgrowths that mimic lichen. Its greenish-gray coloring completes the camouflage. It is nocturnal and incredibly slow-moving.

💡

Did You Know?

Its lichen-like texture is so detailed that even close inspection with a hand lens can fail to reveal it is an insect.

Winged Stick Insect

A large bright green stick insect with well-developed wings that can fly short distances. It feeds on pandanus palms along tropical coastlines. When threatened it sprays a peppermint-scented defensive chemical.

💡

Did You Know?

It sprays a liquid that smells exactly like peppermint oil from glands in its thorax when threatened.