List of stick insects of New Zealand facts for kids
Stick insects are incredible creatures that are masters of disguise! In New Zealand, you can find these amazing insects in many different places. They live everywhere from cold, high mountain areas to dry coastal bushes.
Scientists have found and described 23 different types, or species, of stick insects in New Zealand. These species belong to 10 larger groups called genera. The most common type of stick insect you might see in New Zealand is the smooth stick insect, also known as Clitarchus hookeri.
Contents
What Are Stick Insects?
Stick insects are insects that are famous for looking just like parts of plants. They can look like twigs, branches, or even leaves! This special ability is called camouflage. It helps them hide from animals that might want to eat them, like birds or lizards.
They are part of a group of insects called Phasmatodea. The name "phasmid" comes from a Greek word meaning "phantom" or "apparition," which perfectly describes how hard they are to spot!
Where Do New Zealand Stick Insects Live?
New Zealand's stick insects are very adaptable. They can live in many different environments across the country. Some prefer the chilly, high-altitude regions, blending in with alpine plants. Others thrive in the warmer, drier coastal areas, hiding among the bush. Their camouflage helps them survive no matter where they are.
How Many Kinds Are There?
As we mentioned, there are 23 known species of stick insects in New Zealand. Scientists group these species into different families and genera to help understand them better. For example, some belong to the family Phasmatinae, and others to Pachymorphinae.
Here are a few examples of the different groups and some of the stick insects found in New Zealand:
Family Phasmatinae
This family includes several groups, or genera, of stick insects.
Acanthoxyla
These stick insects are often spiky or have rough bodies, helping them blend in with bark or thorny plants. Some examples include:
- Acanthoxyla fasciata
- Acanthoxyla prasina
Argosarchus
This group includes the species Argosarchus horridus.
Clitarchus
This genus includes the very common smooth stick insect.
Pseudoclitarchus
An example from this group is Pseudoclitarchus sentus.
Tepakiphasma
This group includes Tepakiphasma ngatikuri.
Family Pachymorphinae
This is another main family of stick insects found in New Zealand.
Asteliaphasma
These stick insects are named after the Astelia plants they often live on.
- Asteliaphasma jucundum
- Asteliaphasma naomi
Micrarchus
This group includes Micrarchus hystricuelus.
Niveaphasma
An example from this group is Niveaphasma annulata.
Spinotectarchus
This group includes Spinotectarchus acornutus.
Tectarchus
This group has several species, such as:
- Tectarchus huttoni
- Tectarchus ovobessus
See also
- Egg (phasmatodea)
