Phryganistria facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Phryganistria |
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| Phryganistria tamdaoensis | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Unrecognized taxon (fix): | Clitumninae |
| Tribe: | Pharnaciini |
| Genus: | Phryganistria Stål, 1875 |
| Type species | |
| Phryganistria sarmentosa Westwood, 1848 |
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Phryganistria is a group of amazing stick insects! These insects are known for being super long and blending in with their surroundings, just like a twig or a branch. They belong to a family of insects called Clitumninae. A Swedish scientist named Carl Stål first described this group in 1875.
Contents
Where Do Phryganistria Stick Insects Live?
You can only find Phryganistria stick insects in Southeast Asia. This part of the world has warm, humid climates that these insects love. They spend their lives camouflaged among plants, munching on leaves.
The Longest Insects in the World
Some Phryganistria species are among the longest insects known on Earth!
- In 2014, scientists discovered a new type called Phryganistria heusii yentuensis. It can grow up to 32 cm (about 12.6 inches) long. That's longer than a standard ruler!
- Another new species found in 2014, Phryganistria tamdaoensis, was chosen as one of the "Top 10 New Species" in 2015 by the International Institute for Species Exploration. This shows how special and unique it is.
A New World Record Holder
In May 2016, news came from China about an even longer stick insect! A scientist named Zhao Li found a huge female specimen in 2014 in Liuzhou, Guangxi region of China. This amazing insect measured 62.4 cm (about 24.6 inches) long. It was informally called 'Phryganistria chinensis'.
Then, in August 2017, one of its babies grew even bigger! This young stick insect reached an incredible 64 cm (about 25.2 inches) in length. This made it the longest insect in the world! It has even been listed in the Guinness World Records for its amazing size.
Different Kinds of Phryganistria
The Phryganistria group includes several different species. Each one has its own unique features, but they all share the incredible ability to blend in and grow very long. Here are some of the known species:
- Phryganistria bachmaensis Ta & Hoang, 2004
- Phryganistria fruhstorferi Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1907
- Phryganistria grandis Rehn, 1906
- Phryganistria guanxiensis Chen & He, 2008
- Phryganistria heusii Hennemann & Conle, 1997
- Phryganistria heusii heusii Hennemann & Conle, 1997
- Phryganistria heusii yentuensis J. Bresseel & J Constant, 2014
- Phryganistria longzhouensis Chen & He, 2008
- Phryganistria tamdaoensis J. Bresseel & J Constant, 2014
- Phryganistria virgea (Westwood, 1848) - also known as P. sarmentosa Westwood, 1848
See also
In Spanish: Phryganistria para niños
