Acanthoxyla prasina

Prickly stick insect
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Phasmatodea
Family: Phasmatidae
Subfamily: Phasmatinae
Tribe: Acanthoxylini
Bradley & Galil, 1977
Genus: Acanthoxyla
Species: A. prasina
Binomial name
Acanthoxyla prasina

Acanthoxyla prasina or 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]

References

  1. 1 2 "Insect poses prickly questions" on Otago Daily Times website, viewed 2013-10-16
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