# Northern Walkingstick (*Diapheromera femorata*)

The Northern Walkingstick is a long, skinny insect that looks like a twig! They are great at hiding in trees and bushes, making them hard to spot.

- **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Snaps:** 2
- **Habitat:** Forests

![Northern Walkingstick](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Diapheromera_femorata.JPG&width=800)

Photo: Doodledoo, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Diapheromera_femorata.JPG)

## Appearance

The Northern Walkingstick is a long, slender insect, typically greenish-brown or brown, expertly camouflaged as a twig. It has very long, thin antennae, often longer than its front legs, which help it blend seamlessly into its leafy surroundings.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Arthropoda
- **Class:** Insecta
- **Order:** Phasmida
- **Family:** Diapheromeridae
- **Genus:** Diapheromera

## Interesting facts

- A walkingstick can sway like a branch in the wind!
- Female walkingsticks can lay eggs without needing a mate!
- Their tiny eggs look exactly like plant seeds!
- They often drop their eggs from trees onto the forest floor!

## Special abilities

- **Instant Stillness:** Northern Walkingstick can freeze completely still because of its twig-like shape, helping them avoid being seen by predators.
- **Regrowing Limbs:** Northern Walkingstick can regrow a lost leg if attacked because of its ability to regenerate, helping them survive in the wild.

## Measurements & details

- **Size:** 70-100 mm
- **Lifespan:** 60-90 days
- **Leg Count:** 6

## Diet & Feeding

This insect munches on leaves from many different trees and shrubs.

- **Primary Foods:** oak leaves, rose leaves, hazelnut leaves, maple leaves
- **Foraging Method:** Foraging

## Ecological connections

- **Eaten by:** [American Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-robin) (*Turdus migratorius*) — Common bird that preys on walkingsticks.
- **Eaten by:** [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) — Known to forage for insects like walkingsticks.
- **Depends on:** [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*) — Relies on oak leaves for its primary food source.
- **Depends on:** [Red Maple](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-maple) (*Acer rubrum*) — Feeds on maple leaves throughout its life.

## Traits

- [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
- [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
- [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
- [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.

## Collections

- [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Always look but don't touch insects unless you know they are safe.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Northern Walkingstick?

Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How big is Northern Walkingstick?

70-100 mm

### How long does Northern Walkingstick live?

60-90 days

### What does Northern Walkingstick eat?

This insect munches on leaves from many different trees and shrubs.

### Where is Northern Walkingstick usually found?

Forests

### How does Northern Walkingstick hunt?

Foraging

### How many legs does Northern Walkingstick have?

6

## Where to spot

- [Paseo Arts District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/paseo-arts-district) — Oklahoma, US · Historic District
- [Elk State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/elk-state-forest) — Pennsylvania, US · Forest
- [Gathland State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gathland-state-park) — Maryland, US · State Park

[View all places to see Northern Walkingstick](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/northern-walkingstick)

## More Insects

- [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*)
- [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*)
- [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*)
- [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*)

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Source: [Northern Walkingstick: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-walkingstick)