Indian Stick Insect
Carausius morosus
This record describes Carausius morosus (species). Recorded family: Phasmatidae. Recorded order: Phasmida.
Identification and Appearance
A good diagnostic character is reddish coloration on the inner foreleg femur Nocturnal. Introduced from India with the pet trade, used in classrooms. Accidentally released. Found in some areas of California for the past several years.
Wikipedia reference for Carausius morosus: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carausius_morosus.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Phasmida (Walkingsticks)
- Family
- Phasmatidae (Winged Walkingsticks)
- Genus
- Carausius
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Introduced from Tamil Nadu, India, considered a pest in southern California.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: In captivity it feeds on fresh privet, ivy or bramble.
Life History
Introduced population consists of only females. They reproduce parthenogenetically
About Walkingsticks: the wider group
Order-level background for Phasmida, the group containing Carausius morosus. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Phasmida (stick insects and leaf insects) includes ~3,000 described species. The longest insect ever discovered is a stick insect - Phryganistria chinensis Zhao - measuring 64 cm (25.2 inches) found in China in 2016.
Ecological role of the group
Many stick insect species can reproduce without mating (parthenogenesis) - entire populations can consist of only females. Their eggs often mimic plant seeds and are dispersed by ants, which carry them to their nests.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Stick insects are among the most popular pet insects worldwide. The Indian stick insect (Carausius morosus) is widely used in schools and laboratories for biology education and genetic research.
Recorded sources for this group: Guinness World Records, entomology research. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Indian Stick Insect (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Joyce Gross; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , metrioptera
Frequently Asked Questions About Indian Stick Insect
What is Indian Stick Insect?
Indian Stick Insect (Carausius morosus) is a species in the family Phasmatidae, within the order Phasmida.
How do you identify Indian Stick Insect?
A good diagnostic character is reddish coloration on the inner foreleg femur
Where is Indian Stick Insect found?
Range: Introduced from Tamil Nadu, India, considered a pest in southern California.
What does Indian Stick Insect eat?
The diet of the Indian Stick Insect includes In captivity it feeds on fresh privet, ivy or bramble..
What is the life cycle of a Indian Stick Insect?
Introduced population consists of only females. They reproduce parthenogenetically