Prickly stick insect facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Prickly stick insect
Scientific classification
Synonyms
Acanthoderus prasinus Westwood, 1859 Acanthoxyla speciosa Salmon, 1955

Acanthoxyla prasina, the prickly stick insect, is a stick insect in the order Phasmatodea and the family Phasmatidae. It is found throughout New Zealand, although it is less frequently reported than "common" stick insect species. It has a thorny skin, which is used as camouflage.

The species reproduces by parthenogenesis, producing eggs without the help of a male, and no male prickly stick insects have been found. Although native to New Zealand, the insect has been accidentally introduced into England, where it reproduces well.

Acanthoxyla prasina egg illustration by Des Helmore.