South American Walking Stick vs Montieth's Leaf Insect

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute South American Walking Stick Montieth's Leaf Insect
Scientific Name Ctenomorpha gargantua Phyllium monteithi
Order Phasmatodea Phasmatodea
Family Phasmatidae Phylliidae
Size 180-250 mm 5-8 cm
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions South America (Brazil, Peru, Bolivia) Australia (Queensland)
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

South American Walking Stick

An extremely long stick insect that can reach over 250 mm in body length, making it one of the longest insects in South America. It is bright green as a nymph, becoming brown and bark-like as an adult. Females are flightless, while males can glide short distances.

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Did You Know?

When threatened, it drops to the ground and lies perfectly still, becoming virtually indistinguishable from a fallen twig.

Montieth's Leaf Insect

A leaf insect from the tropical forests of Queensland, Australia. It is one of only a few Phylliidae species found on the Australian continent.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the southernmost-ranging leaf insects in the world.