The Phasmatodea are an order of insects whose members are variously known as stick insects, stick-bugs, walking sticks, or bug sticks. They are generally referred to as phasmatodeans, phasmids, or ghost insects. Phasmids in the family Phylliidae are called leaf insects, leaf-bugs, walking leaves, or bug leaves. The group's name is derived from the Ancient Greek φάσμα phasma, meaning an apparition or phantom, referring to their resemblance to vegetation while in fact being animals. Their natural camouflage makes them difficult for predators to detect; still, many species have one of several secondary lines of defence in the form of startle displays, spines or toxic secretions. Stick insects from the genera Phryganistria, Ctenomorpha, and Phobaeticus includes the world's longest insects.
The family Phylliidae contains the extant true leaf insects or walking leaves, which include some of the most remarkably camouflaged leaf mimics (mimesis) in the entire animal kingdom. They occur from South Asia through Southeast Asia to Australia. Earlier sources treat Phylliidae as a much larger taxon, containing genera in what are presently considered to be several different families.
Carausius is a genus of the tribe Lonchodini, in the order Phasmatodea. The genus is in many ways typical of the Phasmatodea in that all species are twig-like in appearance.
Phyllium is the largest and most widespread genus of leaf insects in the family Phylliidae. They can be found in the Indian subcontinent through to Southeast Asia and Australasia.
Necrosciinae is a subfamily of the stick insect family Lonchodidae, with its greatest diversity in South-East Asia.
Phryganistria tamdaoensis is a species of stick insect belonging to the family of giant sticks. It was described in 2014 based on specimens from the Tam Đảo National Park in Vietnam, hence, the specific name tamdaoensis. It was described by Joachim Bresseel and Jérôme Constant, biologists of the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS). In the same paper they also reported the discovery of another new subspecies, Phryganistria heusii yentuensis, which – measuring 32 cm long – is the second biggest insect known to date. In contrast, P. tamdaoensis, measuring only 23 cm long, is one of the smallest species under giant sticks.
Phryganistria is a genus of stick insects belonging to the subfamily Clitumninae. It was described by the Swedish entomologist Carl Stål in 1875. Members of the genus are found only in Southeast Asia. Of the new species described in 2014, Phryganistria heusii yentuensis, which is 32 cm long, is one of the longest insects known to date. Another, Phryganistria tamdaoensis was selected in 2015 by the International Institute for Species Exploration as one of the "Top 10 New Species" for new species discovered in 2014.
Phyllium jacobsoni is a species of leaf insect belonging to the family Phylliidae. Its recorded distribution is Java and no subspecies are listed in the Catalogue of Life.
Cryptophyllium westwoodii is a species of leaf insect in the family Phylliidae. It is distributed from the Andaman islands, Myanmar, Indo-China, southern China, Sumatra and the Riouw Archipelago.
The Clitumninae are a sub-family of stick insects in the family Phasmatidae found in Asia.
Medauroidea is an Asian genus of stick insects in the family Phasmatidae and subfamily Clitumninae. Species have been recorded from Indo-China.
Orestes is a genus of stick insects in the subfamily Dataminae. Species have a known distribution in: Cambodia, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Sumatra, Thailand and Vietnam.
Calvisia is a genus of stick insects in the subfamily Necrosciinae. Species are known to be distributed in temperate and tropical Asia.
Neoclides is an Asian genus of stick insects in the family Diapheromeridae, subfamily Necrosciinae. Species have a known distribution from: Indo-China, Borneo, Sumatra, Philippines and New Guinea.
Medauromorpha is an Asian genus of stick insects in the family Phasmatidae, subfamily Clitumninae and tribe Medaurini. Species have a known distribution from Vietnam and southern China.
Calvisia kneubuehleri is a species of stick insects in the tribe Necrosciini: called the Picasso stick insect by the authors. This species was found in the seasonal tropical forests of the Dong Nai Biosphere Reserve, which includes Cát Tiên National Park, Vietnam.
Orestes draegeri is a species of stick insects in the subfamily Dataminae. This species was found in the seasonal tropical forests of the Dong Nai Biosphere Reserve, which includes Cát Tiên National Park, Vietnam.
Lobofemora scheirei is a species of stick insects in the tribe Clitumnini. This species was found in the seasonal tropical forests of the Dong Nai Biosphere Reserve, which includes Cát Tiên National Park, Vietnam. It is named after the Belgian comedian, TV host and self-declared nerd Lieven Scheire.
Cryptophyllium is a new (2021) genus of leaf insects in the tribe Phylliini. The current distribution map is probably incomplete, but includes southern China, Sri Lanka, Indo-China, Malesia and western Pacific islands.
Cryptophyllium celebicum is type species of leaf insect in the new (2021) genus Cryptophyllium, which has been placed the tribe Phylliini. Its recorded distribution is Sulawesi and Ambon Island.
