Acanthoxyla prasina
Appearance
Prickly stick insect | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Phasmatodea |
Family: | Phasmatidae |
Genus: | Acanthoxyla |
Species: | A. prasina
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Binomial name | |
Acanthoxyla prasina (Westwood 1859)
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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]
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]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4d/PHAS_Phasmidae_Acanthoxyla_prasina_egg.png/150px-PHAS_Phasmidae_Acanthoxyla_prasina_egg.png)
See also
References
- ^ a b "Insect poses prickly questions" on Otago Daily Times website, viewed 2013-10-16