Wednesday, 25 June 2008

Stick Insect - Ctenomorpha chronus

  • Order: Phasmatodea
  • Family: Phasmatidae
  • Subfamily: Phasmatinae
  • Ctenomorpha chronus (Gray, 1833)
In the two years I've been at at this site I have never seen this species but in the last 2 months (April to June) several females have been found on the walls and windows of the house.


There are only 3 species of Phasmids in Tasmania. This one, Ctenomorpha chronus, belongs to the subfamily Phasmatinae while the other two belong to the subfamily Tropidoderinae.


Details of compound eyes and palps


Details of head and prothorax

This females of species can grow to 176mm, however, they can appear longer as they rest with their forelegs outstretched. They blend in well amoong Eucalyptus stems. While males are fully winged, the short tegmina and very long cerci suggest this one is a female.

Short tegmina (wing covers)


Very long cerci


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4 comments:

  1. AnonymousFebruary 02, 2009

    Great pics!
    What are the other two species of stick insect that occur in Tasmania?

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  2. MosuraNovember 13, 2009

    Thanks Nuytsia - sorry I somehow missed your comment until now.

    The other two are from a different subfamily, Tropidoderinae. They are:

    Didymuria violescens Leach
    Parasypiloidea tener (Brunner von Wattenwyl)

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  3. AnonymousNovember 23, 2009

    It was rather interesting for me to read this article. Thanx for it. I like such topics and everything connected to this matter. I would like to read a bit more soon.

    ReplyDelete
  4. MosuraNovember 23, 2009

    Thanks Anonymous - Glad you found it interesting.

    ReplyDelete

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