Insect · GBIF taxon 1409474
Diapheromera femorata
diapheromera femorataAlso known as Northern Walkingstick, American Walkingstick, Stick Bug
Northern walkingsticks master the art of crypsis, seamlessly blending into deciduous forest foliage with slender, wingless bodies and twig-like posture. Females drop single eggs from high in the canopy to the leaf litter below, where they overwinter before hatching the following spring. During periodic population surges, dense aggregations can visibly defoliate favorite host trees like oaks and hazels.
CamouflagedHerbivoreForest Dweller
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Oak Leaves
- Hazel Leaves
- Cherry Leaves
Predators
- Songbirds
- Small Mammals
- Spiders
ThreatsPesticide spraying and heavy woodland clearing
HabitatsDeciduous forests, woodlands, and shrubby edge habitats
Life span1 year
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderPhasmida
- FamilyDiapheromeridae
- GenusDiapheromera
- Speciesdiapheromera femorata
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Spotting Cues: Scan tree trunks and undersides of oak leaves in late summer when adults reach full size.
- Handling Technique: Let the insect gently walk onto a flat, extended hand without grabbing its delicate legs.
Host Plant (c) Alicia Ballard, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Relative (c) James Rogers, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Sam Kieschnick, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Sam Kieschnick · cc-by
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