Friday, July 17, 2009

Lord Howe Island Stick Insect

Scientific Name: Drycocelus Australis

Common Names: Lord Howe Island Phasmid, Land Lobster

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Hexapoda

Order: Phasmatodea

Family: Phasmatidae

Lord Howe Island Stick insect is a heavy bodied insect which looks honey brown in color. It has white streak along its side. These nocturnal species lack the ability to fly. The growth capacity of the adult is up to 15 cm and it weighs about 25g. Female Howe weighs the most than the male and it also has a hook on its leg which stronger. Howe can easily walk and run in the ground while other insects find difficult for it.

On an average the female hawe is capable of laying 300 eggs in her lifetime. Usually the stick insects lay eggs in the tree and allow the eggs to fall to the ground. But female hawe bury its abdomen into the soil to lay eggs. The eggs are 4 mm long. Before hatching the eggs nurture under the soil for six and a half months. Young ones of the hawe appear in bright green color.

These insects have forested areas as their habitat. They also shelter themselves in a hollow place formed by the plant debris.

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