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.

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.

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.