The Phasmatodea order, also called Phasmida, is a group of insects commonly known as stick insects, walking sticks, stick bugs, phasmids, ghost sticks, or leaf insects depending on the locality. The term comes from the Ancient Greek word "phasma" that means an apparition or phantom, apparently referring to most of the insects' natural camouflage that allows them to look like sticks or leaves.
Most phasmids are elongated and relatively large insects with bodies often resembling vegetation or sticks. Some few phasmids are also capable of changing their color to match their environment. Most species notably have none or reduced wings but all of them possess compound eyes. Winged species have long thoraces with their first pair of wings narrow and cornified and the hind wings relatively broader. Females of these insects are significantly bigger than the males.
Herbivorous throughout their life cycle, phasmids feed mostly on leaves of tress and shrubs. They are sedentary insects and they also exhibit rocking behavior similar to the praying mantis.
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