# Southern Two-striped Walkingstick (*Anisomorpha buprestoides*) The Southern Two-striped Walkingstick is a cool insect that looks like a twig! It can blend in with plants to hide from predators. These insects are fun to find because they can be very long and thin. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Southern Two-striped Walkingstick](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Ocala_Ntl_Forest_29-03-00N_81-38-50W_Oct_1_2006_9.JPG&width=800) Photo: Bugenstein at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ocala_Ntl_Forest_29-03-00N_81-38-50W_Oct_1_2006_9.JPG) ## Appearance The Southern Two-striped Walkingstick has a stout, cylindrical body, typically brown or gray, sometimes greenish. It features two prominent dark stripes running down its back. Its textured body camouflages it perfectly amongst twigs and bark, making it distinct from slender walkingsticks. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Phasmida - **Family:** Pseudophasmatidae - **Genus:** Anisomorpha ## Interesting facts - Females can lay eggs that hatch without a male! - Their scientific name hints at their amazing disguise! - They are sometimes called 'devil's riding horses'! - Walkingstick eggs look just like tiny plant seeds! ## Special abilities - **Chemical Cannon:** Southern Two-striped Walkingstick can spray a milky, foul-smelling defensive fluid from glands to deter predators. - **Master Disguise:** Southern Two-striped Walkingstick has an incredible twig-like appearance that helps them vanish into woody surroundings. - **Limb Regeneration:** Southern Two-striped Walkingstick can shed and regrow a lost leg, which helps them escape from tricky situations. ## Measurements & details - **Size:** 40-70 mm - **Lifespan:** 60-90 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding They munch on leaves from various plants, like oak and rose, staying hidden while they eat. - **Age differences:** Young nymphs eat smaller, tender leaves, while adults can handle tougher foliage. - **Primary Foods:** oak leaves, rose leaves, prickly pear cactus, wax myrtle leaves - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Northern Mockingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-mockingbird) (*Mimus polyglottos*) — Birds are common predators of walkingsticks. - **Eaten by:** Virginia Opossum (*Didelphis virginiana*) — Opossums will readily consume insects they find. - **Eats:** Live Oak (*Quercus virginiana*) — They primarily feed on the leaves of oak trees. - **Eats:** [Wax Myrtle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/wax-myrtle) (*Myrica cerifera*) — Feeds on leaves, including those of wax myrtle. ## Traits - [Striped](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/striped): Marked with parallel bands or lines of color. - [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. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [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. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low It's best to watch walkingsticks from a distance so you don't scare them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Southern Two-striped 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 Southern Two-striped Walkingstick? 40-70 mm ### How long does Southern Two-striped Walkingstick live? 60-90 days ### What does Southern Two-striped Walkingstick eat? They munch on leaves from various plants, like oak and rose, staying hidden while they eat. ### Where is Southern Two-striped Walkingstick usually found? Forests ### How does Southern Two-striped Walkingstick hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Southern Two-striped Walkingstick have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Heathcote Botanical Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/heathcote-botanical-gardens) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden - [Rock Springs Run State Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/rock-springs-run-state-reserve) — Florida, US · State Park - [Cayo Costa State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cayo-costa-state-park) — Florida, US · State Park [View all places to see Southern Two-striped Walkingstick](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/southern-two-striped-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*) --- Source: [Southern Two-striped Walkingstick Facts — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/southern-two-striped-walkingstick)