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.
Phobaeticus serratipes is a species of stick insect that at one time was the longest known insect, with one female specimen recorded as being 555 mm long. This measurement includes the legs fully extended front and rear, and the actual length of the body alone is considerably shorter. This insect is endemic to Malaysia and Singapore. It is a popular species among those who raise stick insects.
The Verophasmatodea suborder of the Phasmatodea contains the vast majority of the extant species of stick and leaf insects.
Phobaeticus is a genus of Asian stick insects comprising over 25 species. It includes some of the longest known insects, including Phobaeticus chani.
The Phasmatinae are a subfamily of stick insects in the family Phasmatidae. They contain at least three tribes; Bradley and Galil corrected the spelling to "Phasmatinae" and provides a key to tribes.
Diapheromeridae is a family of stick insects. They belong to the superfamily Anareolatae of suborder Verophasmatodea.
Phobaeticus chani or Chan's megastick is a species of stick insect in the tribe Pharnaciini. It is one of the longest insects in the world and was once considered the record-holder. One specimen held in the Natural History Museum in London measures 567 mm (22.3 in). This measurement is, however, with the front legs fully extended. The body alone still measures an impressive 357 mm (14.1 in).
Ctenomorpha marginipennis, the margin-winged stick insect, is a species of stick insect endemic to southern Australia. The species was first described by George Robert Gray in 1833.
Asceles is a genus from the stick insect family Diapheromeridae. Some of the species of Asceles have a distribution in Malaysia and Singapore.
Palophinae is a subfamily of the stick insect family Diapheromeridae. They belong to the superfamily Anareolatae of suborder Verophasmatodea.
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.
Diapheromerini is a tribe of walkingsticks in the family Diapheromeridae. There are at least 30 genera Diapheromerini.
Pachymorphinae is a subfamily of stick insects in the family Diapheromeridae. Genera are primarily found in Africa, Asia and Australia.
The Lonchodinae are a subfamily of stick insects in the family Lonchodidae found in: Australasia, Asia, Africa, Southern America and the Pacific.
Tirachoidea is an Asian genus of stick insects in the family Phasmatidae and subfamily Clitumninae.
Achrioptera is a genus of stick insects first described in 1861. It is one of two genera in the tribe Achriopterini, the other being Glawiana. Species in the genus Achrioptera occur in Africa, including Madagascar. Although they are brightly colored, members of Achrioptera are able to effectively mimic thorny twigs and sticks for camouflage.
Lonchodidae is a family of stick insects, with more than 150 genera and 1,000 described species.
Phasmatini is a tribe of stick insects in the family Phasmatidae. There are more than 40 described species, found in Australasia, Asia and possibly Brazil.
Phasmotaenia lanyuhensis is a species of stick insect, order Phasmatodea. It is endemic to Taiwan. It is often included in the family Phasmatidae, although sometimes excluded from it when the family is strictly delimited. It derives its specific name from its type locality, Lanyuh Island, commonly known as Orchid Island.
The Platycraninae are an anareolate subfamily of stick insects in the family Phasmatidae. Their known distribution includes southern, southeast Asia and Australasia.
