Monday, June 29, 2009

Out On the Front Porch

Walking Stick Insect


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When Tall Husband spotted this tiny insect on the front porch, he thought it was a broom straw. It's only about 2.5 inches in length and the diameter of...well...a broom straw. These twig-like little masters of camouflage can grow to be two feet in length. We hadn't seen a walking stick insect in years, so it was wonderful seeing one again.

If only those magical, luminous fireflies, or lightning bugs, of our childhood would also visit our front porch some evening, we would ecstatic!

Note: This stick insect appeared to have excellent hearing, as each time the beeper sounded on my camera, it turned its head in the direction of the sound. This could only be observed while looking through the lens, as its head was too small to see with the naked eye.

Click on photos to enlarge.

10 comments:

  1. Oh how exciting to actually see a walking stick insect! I've never seen one...or have I and thought it was a piece of straw? Hmmm....

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  2. Aren't they amazing! I see them all the time around our house - usually on the porches, because I am sure I can't see them when they are in the grass.We have lightening bugs all over at night, too. Maybe you need to get out of the city to see more. I am in constant awe of nature!

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  3. Coralie: You will probably see them now that you know they are there, especially if you have roses or berries.

    Hill Country House Girl: I'm so jealous of your lightening bugs. You are right...I need to get away from the city.

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  4. Annie, your blogs are beautiful. Thank you for finding mine so that I could in turn find yours.
    Have a lovely week~
    xo

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  5. Annie: You are seriously deranged. Bugs of any sort, especially with WINGS, over a 1/2 inch are seriously scary. What they hell are you feeding them in Texas?!!!

    I'll be posting about our fishflies soon and you will be seriously grossed out. Thank God they only hang around a few weeks.

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  6. Mimi charmante, Thanks!

    Pop and Ice: They eat berries and roses. They are scary.

    What in the world are fishflies? I can hardly wait.

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  7. How interesting...I don't think that I have ever seen one of these insects in person before. I have seen praying mantis several times but never a walking stick.

    Tricia - Avolli

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  8. At certain times of year, I have these all over inside my house - mamas with their babies on their backs.

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  9. Oh dear. "The male insects also ride on the back of potential female mates for a few weeks." That ain't no baby bug.

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