Leaf Insect
Phylliidae
Fascinating Facts
- They are among the most successful camouflagers known to exist in the animal kingdom.
- A leaf bug is capable of regeneration. If it loses its limb, it can replace it the next time it molts (periodic shedding of the cuticle in arthropods or the outer skin in reptiles). However, once it has reached adulthood, it can no more replace the lost limb, as then it will not be able to molt anymore.
Physical Characteristics
Leaf insectsflat, green insects that have a leaflike appearance. The female has large leathery forewings (tegmina) that lie edge to edge on the abdomen and resemble, in their vein pattern, the midrib and veins in a leaf. Females are flightless and so the hindwings have no function. The male has small tegmina and ample, non-leaflike, functional hindwings.
Habitat/Diet
Leaf insects are native to the tropics of the Eastern Hemisphere. This species of leaf insect eats blackberries, rose and oak leaves.
Social Behavior
This species of leaf insect is very quiet during the day, but becomes active during the night. When they walk they will walk in a stop-go kind of way as if they are moved by the wind. The males can fly once they become adults, and they generally will do this often when disturbed. The females cannot fly.
Status In The Wild
They are common and not endangered.
Other
They can be found at the Insect Zoo.