Northern Walking Stick

(Diapheromera femorata)

Did You Know?

  Walking sticks have the ability to regenerate lost legs.

Description: A very slow moving, long, thin wingless insect that looks remarkably like a twig.  This allows them to camouflage on trees and bushes during the day.  These brown or green insects have very long antennae, about 2/3 the length of their body. The male is smaller than the female and can sometimes be seen riding on the females back.  

Average Length:  Males-3 inches Females 3 ¾ inches long.  Antennae can bean additional 2/3 of body length.

Lifespan: 1 year, singly laid eggs are dropped into leaf litter and remain dormant over winter, Nymphs hatch in the spring and become adults by late summer.  

Habitat: Deciduous Forests

Range: East of the Rockies

Diet: Walking sticks feed on the leaves of many deciduous trees, including: Oaks, Hazelnuts, Sassafras, Black Cherry, and Black Locust.  They also eat clovers.