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What is a Phasmid?

A phasmid is an insect. Insects have six legs, three body parts (head, thorax and abdomen). On their head they have two compound eyes a pair of antennae and various  types of mouthparts chewing, sucking, biting and some insects have no mouths at all.

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Phasmids are generally known as stick or leaf insects. They are known for being long and thin. The longest is now known from China: Phryganistria chinensis Zhao, measuring 62.4cm.  Australia's longest phasmid is Ctenomorpha gargantua at 56.7cm.

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At the end of their abdomen phasmids have a paired appendage called cerci. The last segment on the underside of the phasmids body is shaped like the keel of a boat which (in females) this is the ovipositor, used for laying her eggs.

Photo (right) of Acrophylla titan with a number of body parts labeled. 
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