Acanthoxyla prasina
Acanthoxyla prasina, the prickly stick insect, is a stick insect in the order Phasmatodea and the family Phasmatidae. It is found throughout New Zealand, although it is less frequently reported than "common" stick insect species. It has a thorny skin, which is used as camouflage.[1]
| Prickly stick insect | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Phasmatodea |
| Family: | Phasmatidae |
| Genus: | Acanthoxyla |
| Species: | A. prasina |
| Binomial name | |
| Acanthoxyla prasina (Westwood 1859) | |
The species reproduces by parthenogenesis, producing eggs without the help of a male, and no male prickly stick insects have been found. Although native to New Zealand, the insect has been accidentally introduced into England, where it breeds well.[1]
Acanthoxyla prasina egg illustration by Des Helmore.
See also
References
- "Insect poses prickly questions" on Otago Daily Times website, viewed 2013-10-16
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