Timema californicum
This record describes Timema californicum (species). Recorded family: Timematidae. Recorded order: Phasmida.
Identification and Appearance
A depiction of the male terminalia appears as Fig. 6 in the plate here .
Wikipedia reference for Timema californicum: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timema_californicum.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Phasmida (Walkingsticks)
- Family
- Timematidae
- Genus
- Timema
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
The distribution for T. californicum shown on the map here should be considered a subset of the actual range, since the interactive map here indicates further records of T. californicum in the Coast Ranges in Marin Co. and as far north as Humboldt Co.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Recorded host plants: manzanita ( Arctostaphylos spp. ), ceanothus ( Ceanothus spp. ), oak ( Quercus spp. ), mountain mahogony ( Cercocarpus spp. ), toyon ( Heteromeles arbutifolia ). Individuals have been observed on a number of other plant species as well, though most are presumed incidental perches...and not necessarily primary host plants.
About Walkingsticks: the wider group
Order-level background for Phasmida, the group containing Timema californicum. 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 Timema californicum (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Aaron Schusteff
Frequently Asked Questions About Timema californicum
What is Timema californicum?
Timema californicum is a species in the family Timematidae, within the order Phasmida.
How do you identify Timema californicum?
A depiction of the male terminalia appears as Fig. 6 in the plate here .
Where is Timema californicum found?
Range: The distribution for T. californicum shown on the map here should be considered a subset of the actual range, since the interactive map here indicates further records of T. californicum in the Coast Ranges in Marin Co. and as far north as Humboldt Co.
What does Timema californicum eat?
The diet of the Timema californicum includes Recorded host plants: manzanita ( Arctostaphylos spp. ), ceanothus ( Ceanothus spp. ), oak ( Quercus spp. ), mountain mahogony ( Cercocarpus spp. ), toyon ( Heteromeles arbutifolia ). Individuals have been observed on a number of other plant species as well, though most are presumed incidental perches...and not necessarily primary host plants..