Short-winged Green Stick Insect vs Long-legged Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Short-winged Green Stick Insect | Long-legged Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Acanthoxyla inermis | Dolichopus ungulatus |
| Order | Phasmatodea | Diptera |
| Family | Phasmatidae | Dolichopodidae |
| Size | 80-110mm | 5-7 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Oceania | Europe, Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Short-winged Green Stick Insect
A smooth bright green stick insect native to New Zealand. All known individuals are female. It has tiny vestigial wings that are useless for flight. It feeds on a wide variety of native plants.
Did You Know?
No males have ever been found for this species; the entire population reproduces through obligate parthenogenesis.
Long-legged Fly
A small, slender fly with a brilliant metallic green body and long, thin legs. Males have modified leg structures used in elaborate courtship displays performed on leaves.
Did You Know?
Male long-legged flies perform an elaborate wing-waving courtship dance on sunlit leaves, displaying silvery wing patches to watching females like tiny semaphore signals.