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| He is upside down in this picture. |
Actually, he wasn't in my garden yet. He was on the neighborhood crime watch sign in front of my home. I don't think he cared if he was trespassing. He was on a mission!
Why do I think he was a he and not a she? Because he has the male pinchers that act to hold on to the female when mating.
But that's not the end of the story. The next day I saw this Walking Stick again. And this time, he was not alone. He had found a she! Mission accomplished!
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| Walking stick insects mating |
So, there's at least two walking stick insects in my garden! And from the looks of it, there's going to be more. I wonder how far he traveled to find her. Can you see how he has his legs wrapped around her? What a sweet hug!
Here's some interesting facts about these insects you might not know:
1. They only eat leaves and stems.
2. They have a special joint that allows them to easily break off a leg if it becomes necessary in order to escape a predator.
3. Females don't really need a male to reproduce. She is able to reproduce asexually, but those eggs will only produce females.
4. Some species of these insects are as small as 1/2 inch, while others are as long as 21 inches.
5. There are over 3,000 species of stick insects, and there is thought to be many more that have yet to be discovered.
6. Because of fact #3, there are some species in which scientists have only found females, and think the males are extinct.
Maybe next year I'll be lucky enough to see some of the children of these two lovers. Do you have Walking Stick insects in your garden?
I have seen one only once in the wild and that was camping so many years ago. They are so easily camoflaged that it surprising you saw it. How neat!
ReplyDeleteBy the way do you still want irises? I have white, small purple, and a mix purple yellow that I can send to you. Send me a note by email.
I don't know that I would have seen it if it hadn't been on that white sign, and my husband actually pointed out the couple to me. Yes, I would love irises! Expect an email! Thanks!
DeleteThat's fun that you caught them in the act.
ReplyDeleteI did find one earlier in the summer and it was pretty special to see. I did post photos on my blog as well. I watched for several days but didn't see any mating.
Maybe you'll see some again. I will now have to start being on the lookout for them. Of course, they really do look like sticks, so if they're in a plant, I don't think I'd see them!
DeleteAmazing! Are they not amazing creatures? And you were so lucky to have the eye to find him and then them! I would have taken a real stick and moved them to my yard right away!
ReplyDeleteThey really are amazing. Nature is so creative! I was a little scared of him - I'm glad he found my home on his own!
DeleteHolley, oh my what unusual creatures these walking stick insects are! I can't say that I am very fond of them, but they certainly look interesting. Nature is so fascinating! Thanks for this great post and photos!
ReplyDeleteChristina
I don't think they do any harm, even though they may not be very beneficial, either. But they are so very interesting! I hope to see them again, they would be fun to see walking!
DeleteWe see them quite frequently, climbing around on our porch. Always cool!
ReplyDeleteInteresting that you have so many there! I'm not sure I'd like them on the porch - they look a bit intimidating to me!
DeleteWhat unusual creatures, lovely oddities! Even more fascinating that it found a mate and you managed to capture it in photos, fantastic!
ReplyDeleteAn oddity of a bug, indeed! I felt lucky to get that photo. I was glad they weren't frightened away by my presence.
DeleteVery interesting. I like it when I find them outside too.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I'll see more of them from now on. I've never noticed one before, but maybe they're going to start a colony here! :)
DeleteWow, what a great capture! I've never seen them in the garden, but I am terrible at seeing camouflaged critters. That would be impressive to find a 21 inch one - that's quite a stick!
ReplyDeleteI don't usually see insects, either, until I am right on top of them! This one stood out against that white sign. I was a little scared of these - I would hate to find a 21 inch one!
DeleteWow! I have never seen insects like that. Maybe sometimes on tv? Those are like sticks. Exciting!
ReplyDeleteThey really do look like sticks. Great camouflage! I hadn't seen one in a very long time.
DeleteIt's very unusual insect! Thanks for information, Holley!
ReplyDeleteWe really do have a world of unusual and interesting creatures - and a lot of them are in our own backyards!
DeleteI have never seen such a thing. They don't even look real. Heck might have seen one but thought it was a stick. :) Maybe they're not up here though.
ReplyDeleteCher Sunray Gardens
I don't really know how far north their range goes, although I know they are in parts of most every continent. If they were on a plant, I probably would have never noticed them. They really do look like a stick!
DeleteI haven't seen one since I was a child! How wonderful!!!
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've seen one since I was a child, either. I was thrilled to see these!
DeleteI'm honestly not sure I'd have seen him! (or her).
ReplyDeleteThey are very good at hiding, aren't they? I don't think I would ever see on on a plant!
DeleteNo, and it makes me lonely.
ReplyDeleteOh, I hope you find a stick insect in your garden! It really is a thrill!
DeleteHo amazing that you posteed about the stick insect yesterday and I did today before seeing yours! I didn't know any of these facts so thank you. Christina
ReplyDeleteI have seen a few blog posts about them all at once. They must be getting bolder! :)
DeleteI adore this insect and had them in the old garden...but not here yet at least I haven't observed them...but who knows what I might spy...great captures and you are indeed lucky!!
ReplyDeleteIt was quite fun discovering them. I do hope their children find my garden fun, although I'm not sure I'd ever notice them on a plant!
DeleteLast year I accidently brought one home in my car from Missouri....we were getting out of the car at a restaurant and put him out - I doubt he like the high elevation.
ReplyDeleteOh, my! I can't imagine finding one in the car! I think I would be a big scared of him, although I'm not exactly sure why!
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