Origin
The Leaf insect (Phasmida Phylliidae) belongs to the family Phylliidae, order Phasmatodea. It lives in tropical and subtropical areas all over the world, but the densest population may be in South Asia and Australia.
They are also called Walking leaves or walking leaves. There are 37 described species in 4 genera.
Fossils of a leaf insect dating back 126 million years have been discovered by a team of researchers. It is the oldest known leaf insect. It was discovered in China in Liaoning province.
Feeding the Leaf insect
The Leaf insect has an essential role in the ecosystem.
She consumes buds, various leaves and diseased leaves, and by defecation prepares the soil for the next year.
Like the bat insect it is a herbivorous insect.
Features insect leaf
Males can reach a length of 8cm and females 12cm. The body of the male shows small holes in the lower part of the body while the female shows small strata.
Most of these insects camouflage themselves during the day by remaining motionless, almost immobile, because they are nocturnal. Their body best mimics the leaves.
They are considered the world's most spectacular copycat species. These insects camouflage themselves so well that it is almost impossible to see them among the branches of trees. To move during the day, they move slowly and wavy to simulate the movement of a leaf in the wind.
If she is attacked by predators and is caught by her leg she can give it up to save her life. The foot regenerates like a lizard's tail over time. Only males can fly, females can not.
Reproduction Leaf insect
Females can reproduce without the help of males. Unfecundated eggs laid by females produce female leaf insects. They can lay thousands of eggs during this period.
Because of this process in which females can multiply alone their number is much higher than that of males. So the ratio is one male per 20 - 500 females, depending on the area.
From the black eggs laid by the female Hatch red-brown nymphs. After the first Moult they start to become greener, and when they reach maturity they will be completely green apart from a few brown spots.
The advantage of the Leaf insect is the eggs have a protuberance that ants consume. So the ants carry the eggs in their burrows, consume the protuberance and thus the eggs are protected from predators.
Life expectancy is different. If males live for a few weeks at most, females live for 6-10 months.
