Unarmed Stick Insect vs Thorny Devil Stick Insect

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Unarmed Stick Insect Thorny Devil Stick Insect
Scientific Name Clitarchus tepaki Eurycantha calcarata
Order Phasmatodea Phasmatodea
Family Phasmatidae Phasmatidae
Size 6-9 cm 100-150 mm
Habitat Beaches & Coastal Woodlands
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions New Zealand (Northland) Oceania
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Unarmed Stick Insect

A smooth-bodied stick insect endemic to the far north of New Zealand. It is slimmer than its relative Clitarchus hookeri.

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Did You Know?

It is restricted to the northernmost tip of New Zealand's North Island around Cape Reinga.

Thorny Devil Stick Insect

A massive, heavily armored stick insect from New Guinea with powerful spiny hind legs. Males have a large curved spine on each hind femur used in combat.

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Did You Know?

Males use the large curved spine on their hind legs as a weapon, clamping down on predators or rival males like a vice with surprising force.