Timema facts for kids
| Timema | |
|---|---|
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| Timema genevieve on the leaves of chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum). | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Phasmatodea |
| Suborder: | Timematodea |
| Family: | Timematidae |
| Genus: | ''Timema'' |
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Timema is a genus of short-bodied, somewhat thicker stick insects. They are native to the far western United States.
Compared to other stick insects (order Phasmatodea), the genus Timema is basal. It is the earliest living branch to diverge from the phylogenetic tree of the Phasmatodea. To emphasize this, all other stick insects are sometimes described as "Euphasmatodea."
Five of the 21 species of Timema are parthenogenetic, including two species that have done sexual reproduction for a million years. This is the longest known asexual period for any insect.
Timema sticks are night-feeders: they spend daytime resting on the leaves or bark of the plants they feed on. They are camouflaged. Timema species have colours (green, gray, or brown) and patterns (stripes or dots) which match their background.
Images for kids
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Timema cf. californicum from the Santa Lucia Mountains of California.
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