Water Stick Insect vs South American Walking Stick
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Water Stick Insect | South American Walking Stick |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ranatra linearis | Ctenomorpha gargantua |
| Order | Phasmatodea | Phasmatodea |
| Family | Nepidae | Phasmatidae |
| Size | 30-45mm | 180-250 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Forests |
| Diet | Predators | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe, Asia | South America (Brazil, Peru, Bolivia) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Water Stick Insect
Despite its common name, this is actually a true bug (Hemiptera) that resembles a stick insect and lives underwater. It breathes through a long tail siphon. It is a slow-moving aquatic predator.
Did You Know?
Though called a stick insect, it is actually an aquatic true bug that breathes through a snorkel-like tail tube.
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.
Did You Know?
When threatened, it drops to the ground and lies perfectly still, becoming virtually indistinguishable from a fallen twig.