Northern Walking Stick (Diapheromera femorata)

It’s rare to see a walking stick, even on our farm. They seem to turn up in the fall most often. I remember the first time I ever saw one. I was about seven and it seemed so alien that I got scared. But I didn’t have anything to worry about. Walking sticks are basically insect pacifist, that’s why they work so hard at camouflage. About the only defense a Walking Stick has is to release a bad-smelling liquid when attacked.

Walking sticks are nocturnal vegetarians that feed on berry, cherry and other leaves. They spend most of their days in camouflage mode – motionlessly hanging from a leaf or branch. When you see one during the day it may appear to have only four legs – but look closer and you’ll see the fore legs are held out in front (with the antenna) so it looks more like a stick. Walking sticks have an unusual ability … if they lose or damage a leg they can regenerate it after molting sever times.