Mediterranean Stick Insect vs Thorn-legged Stick Insect

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Mediterranean Stick Insect Thorn-legged Stick Insect
Scientific Name Bacillus rossius Aretaon asperrimus
Order Phasmatodea Phasmatodea
Family Bacillidae Heteropterygidae
Size 60-105mm 60-85mm
Habitat Heathland Forests
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Europe Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Mediterranean Stick Insect

A slender brown or green stick insect common around the Mediterranean. It is one of the few stick insects native to Europe. Some populations are entirely female, reproducing by parthenogenesis.

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Did You Know?

It is one of only a handful of stick insect species native to Europe, most being tropical.

Thorn-legged Stick Insect

A heavily armored stick insect covered in sharp thorns and spines across its entire body. Its brown coloring and spiny texture make it resemble thorny bark. Males are smaller and smoother than females.

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Did You Know?

Its entire body is covered in such dense thorns that it feels like a cactus and is painful to handle carelessly.