Touch-Me-Not Stick Insect
Basic Information:
Scientific Name: Epidares nolimetangere
Habitat: Touch-Me-Not Stick Insects are found in the low vegetative areas of tropical rainforests in Borneo.
Diet: Touch-Me-Not Stick Insect are herbivores and survive almost entirely on a diet of leaves.
Size: 3 to 4.5 centimeters
Weight: less than 0.1 pounds
Lifespan: 1 to 2 years
Distribution Map:
I.U.C.N. Conservation Status:
What does this mean?
Not Evaluated – a category used to include any of the nearly 1.9 million species described by science but not yet assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (I.U.C.N.).
About Touch-Me-Not Stick Insects:
Stick insects are part of a unique bug group that visually resemble various plants. This is a natural camouflage/defense that allows them to avoid predators while they calmly feed on the same plants that they are disguised as. These types of insects can be found all over the world except Antarctica, but tend to be more common in tropical regions. For instance, the Malaysian Island of Borneo features almost 400 distinctive stick insect species. One of these is the Touch-Me-Not stick insect which gets its name from its prickly exterior that makes it look like a branch with thorns. This additional piece of dangerous camouflage makes them even more unappealing to predators who are on the lookout for a snack.
Did You Know?!
- The Touch-Me-Not Stick Insect is one of almost 400 recognized species of stick insects in Borneo!
- Touch-Me-Not Stick Insects are very passive during the day and tend to do most of their activities at night.
- Adult female Touch-Me-Not Stick Insects lay one to three eggs each week for up to 20 months. These eggs then hatch nymphs a few months later. These nymphs then become full grown adults after about 8 to 10 months.
