Order Phasmatodea

Family Phasmatidae (Stick Insects)
Family Phyllidae (Leaf insects)

Meet SA's longest stick insect - almost the length of a 30cm ruler

Family Phasmatidae (Stick Insects)

27 August 2004: New Giant Stick Insect described from the Kruger Park and northern provinces of South Africa.

A new giant stick insect, Bactrododema krugeri, has just been described in the Annals of the Transvaal Museum by Paul Brock. The holotype male has a body length of 163 mm (295 mm including outstretched legs). This is possibly the longest insect described this millennium, and will probably be one of the longest insects to be described this millennium. Why should such a large insect have remained without a name for so long? Several specimens were collected and preserved in museums, but they look very similar to other giant stick insects so it required an expert to recognize that this is a new species. The longest insects in the world are stick insects (Order Phasmatodea) and this is one of the reasons that they are included in the BIG 12 African Insects (https://nfi.org.za/inverts/BIG12/big12page.html). An exhibition called "Wonderful Things" which includes the BIG 12 Insects is currently on display at the Transvaal Museum (www.nfi.co.za).

FEMALE Bactrododema krugeri

MALE Bactrododema krugeri

Female (Top) & Male (Below) Bactrododema krugeri

Large, slow-moving insects with very elongate, slender bodies and legs and well known for their ability to mimic twigs or leaves. They are nocturnal herbivores and may perform rocking and swaying movements or fall to the ground and fake death if disturbed.

Males are usually smaller and less numerous than females and many Stick Insects are known only from females. Nymphs look like adults.

Family Phasmatidae

Palopus reyi (Gaint Stick Insect)
Carausius morosus (Indian Stick Insect)
Macynia labiata (Thunberg's Stick Insect)
Phalces brevis (Cape Stick Insect)
Phalces tuberculatus
Leptinia graminea (Grass Stick Insect)
Zehntneria mystica

Science in Africa (Website)
Meet SA's longest stick insect - almost the length of a 30cm ruler