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Prickly stick insect
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Phasmatodea
Family:	Phasmatidae
Genus:	Acanthoxyla
Species:	A. prasina
Binomial name
Acanthoxyla prasina (Westwood, 1859)
Synonyms
Acanthoderus prasinus Westwood, 1859 Acanthoxyla speciosa Salmon, 1955

Acanthoxyla prasina, the prickly stick insect, is a stick insect in the order Phasmatodea and the family Phasmatidae. The name Phasmid or Phasmatid means phantom, referring to the way that stick insects tend to disappear in their surroundings. .It is found throughout New Zealand, although it is less frequently reported than "common" stick insect species. It has been introduced to Britain, predominately Cornwall and Devon, and to the south-west region of the Republic of Ireland. It has a thorny skin, which is used as camouflage. The Acanthoxyla species most likely arose via hyrbidization from what was found due to genetic studies. .

The species Acanthoxyla prasina reproduces by parthenogenesis, producing eggs without the help of a male, and the population is entirely female. No male had ever been seen until 2016 when one was discovered in the introduced population in Cornwall. He was likely the result of a rare mutation and is now part of the collection at the Natural History Museum in London.

Acanthoxyla prasina egg illustration by Des Helmore

List of 8 currently recognised species in the genus Acanthoxyla

• Acanthoxyla prasina (Westwood 1859) • Acanthoxyla geisovii (Kaup 1866) • Acanthoxyla fasciata (Hutton 1899) • Acanthoxyla suteri (Hutton 1899) • Acanthoxyla intermedia Salmon 1955 • Acanthoxyla inermis Salmon 1955 • Acanthoxyla speciosa Salmon 1955 • Acanthoxyla huttoni Salmon 1955

Description:

Stick insects are the largest insects in New Zealand. The prickly stick insect are large brown or green insects that are from 8 to 11cm long Adult stick insects are relatively large cylindrical in shape incased in a hard outter exoskeleton. Unlike other species they don't have any wings and are flightless Black or brown spines are sometimes present in the Acanthyloxa prasina species, on their head and most of it’s body . The family walking sticks is where the Acanthoxyla prasina species arises from.

Distribution:

The prickly stick insect are found in New Zealand and England. They are found from north of Auckland to the lower south Island at Stewart Island. They can be found in highlands up to heights of 4,000 to 5,000 feet and on low lands. Some are found on high mountains, shrub, tussock, forests and wetlands.

Life cycle:

Acanthoxyla prasina lay eggs from January and continue till May or June until they die. No male has been found in New Zealand only female, reproducing parthenogenetically or via asexual reproduction.Healthy female Acanthoxyla prasina lay three to six eggs daily in the night or the day. Female stick insects drop their eggs wherever they are situated with no deliberate placement. Eggs differ from species to species but within a species are much more consistent in appearance than the animals that lay them, which makes them useful for identification.The eggs hatch during the night when temperatures begin to warm in Spring. The stick insects always hatch as a green colour but after they undergo their first moult they can change colour to brown.

Hatchlings emerge from the eggs as nymphs at a size of barely 10mm. The small hatchlings then find their way to the nearest food plant and climb up avoiding predators. As they stick insects grow they moult due to hard exterior of their cuticle which doesn’t allow room for growth. The process of moulting is called incomplete metamorphosis. Moulting occurs at night time when the hard cuticle splits down the middle and allowing the insect to increase in its size almost immediately. The process of moulting occurs five to six times, that spans over half of a year until it develops into a full size adult. Females tend to produce offspring identicial to themselves without mating. Unless given the correct diet stick insects will survive 24-48 hours.

Interactions:

Acanthoxyla prasina feeds on foliage like all Phasmatids.Acanthoxyla prasina have the widest range of plant species to feed on compared to other species of stick insects. They are not limited to only native plant species, they have been found on Cypress trees, roses, Japanese cedar, bramble and pines. These plant species seem to provide an adequate diet for the Acanthoxyla prasina species. Acanthoxyla prasina if confined on Manuka will slowly die unless they can feed off other specific food plants. Some of the native plant species that Acanthoxyla prasina feeds on is Rimu, Totara, Rata or Pohutakawa. The Acanthoxyla prasina can be found to be on more extotic species of plants instead of natives. There are many predators of Acanthoxyla prasina such as introduced bird species, native bird species, mustelids, possums and rats.

Behavior

Acanthoxyla prasina has a fascinating behaviour where the stick insect dances, in a motion the insect starts swaying from side to side; there is no apparent reason why this dance occurs and it can last up to half an hour. Acting as sticks or branches is one of the behaviors of the stick insect so they can avoid being eaten from predators. Stick insects are cataleptic so they are in a state of marked loss of voluntary motion in which the limbs remain in whatever position they are placed. If disturbed will release thier hold and slide down the foliage they are on to the ground, remaining motionless for hours. Prickly stick insects during the day sit where they are least visible and generally don't eat, trying to remain still and move slowly. When individuals ofAcanthoxyla prasina walk they walk in a swaying motion fairly rapidly. They will travel considerable distances only for the urge of migration.