Going Macro
The species of this tiny stick-like insect are called Phasmida (unsurprisingly, they are also called stick-bugs, walking sticks). These creatures are famous for their masterful camouflage and/or weird appearance. The photo is taken near the waterfall El Pailón del Diablo in Tungurahua province of Ecuador. The puny creature was actually climbing up a tree, but the horizontal position makes it more comprehensible.
| Category | macrophotography |
| Location | Tungurahua, Ecuador |
| Settings | ISO 1000 f/5 1/320 |
| Camera | Sony Alpha 5000 |
| Lens | Sony 3.5-5.6/16-50 |
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Wow! I have not seen this type of insect for a long time ... in my town we call it "Tara" or "Cerbatana"; It really is a very interesting insect to observe ...Of the phasmids (from the ancient Greek phasma: apparition or phantom), some 2,500 species are known, and as you very well indicate in the post, they are a group specialized in camouflage with colors, shapes and extraordinary behaviors that confuse them with the vegetation on which they live and from which they feed. Among the phasmids are the heaviest insects (Heteropteryx dilatata with its 30-40 grams of weight):
and the largest (Phoabeticus kirby) with their 32.8 cm length):
But, now observe the longest phasmid in the world discovered in China in 2014, with 62.4 centimeters of body length, which breaks the world record of any invertebrate (insect), known until that moment:
The life cycle of the phasmids lasts, normally, 1 year.
These insects only appear active late at night, after twilight, so by day, because of their great skills of camouflage, it will be almost impossible to see any of these animals camouflaged among the foliage of the bushes. The stick insects do not move away from their nutritious plant during the day and wait until they arrive at night to feed themselves (they are nocturnal animals).However, not every night they serve them for their short runs (barely more than 2 meters away).
In general, stick insects, as the name suggests, are twig shaped, which makes them unnoticed by many predators. However, it is not the only system that insects have to defend themselves against enemies. Apart from its mimetic appearance, also stick insects have other defensive systems, such as making noise or having structures with bright colors; their wings, which unfold when they feel threatened, among many others.
Greetings.
Damn, what a monster! Good one, pal.
God Bless You! #Christianity
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