Leaf insect

Leaf insect (family Phylliidae), also called walking leaf , any of about 30 species of flat, green insects (order Phasmida, or Phasmatodea) that have a leaflike appearance. The female has large leathery forewings (tegmina) that lie edge to edge on the abdomen and resemble, in their vein pattern, the midrib and veins in a leaf. Females are flightless and so the hindwings have no function. The male has small tegmina and ample, non-leaflike, functional hindwings. Newly hatched young are reddish in colour and become green after feeding on leaves. Colour and form provide protection by allowing these insects to blend with their environment.

All species of leaf insects are about 60 mm (2.3 inches) long and range from India to the Fiji Islands. These are related to the stick insects in the family Phasmatidae.


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