Clitarchus hookeri
| Clitarchus hookeri | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Phasmatodea |
| Suborder: | Verophasmatodea |
| Family: | Phasmatidae |
| Genus: | Clitarchus Stal, 1875 |
| Species: | C. hookeri |
| Binomial name | |
| Clitarchus hookeri (White, 1846) | |
Clitarchus hookeri, is a stick insect of the family Phasmatidae, endemic to New Zealand. It is possibly New Zealand's most common stick insect. Clitarchus hookeri is often green in appearance, but can also be brown or red in colour.[1]
This species tends to be fairly inactive during the day, with typical behaviours limited to crypsis; hiding amongst foliage using its effective camouflage, and adopting a swaying motion to imitate a swaying stem. It feeds nocturnally on New Zealand native foliage such as mānuka and pōhutukawa, but can also be found feeding on introduced plants, particularly Roses and genus Rubus (berries).[2] Females can lay both fertilised and unfertilised eggs, with only the fertilised ones producing males, and can also produce two broods during the spring-summer season through parthenogenesis.[3]
References
- ↑ "Clitarchus". Landcare Research. Retrieved 2012-12-13.
- ↑ Trewick, S. "Story: Stick insects". Te Ara: The Encyclopædia of New Zealand. Retrieved 2012-12-13.
- ↑ Salmon, J. T. (March 1955). "Stick insects". Tuatara: Journal of the Biological Society (Victoria University of Wellington) 5 (3). Retrieved 2012-12-13.