A bright blue stick insect! Stick insects are masters of camouflage, right? Well, our biologists just described a new species that didn't read the manual! #NatureIsTheGreatestShow
Why the wings are so blue and in-your-face remains a mystery for now. Possibly it signals to predators "I'm not tasty!". Indeed, these stick insects secrete a repellent substance.
It is even more fascinating: there are two types of females within this species Calvisia khlongsokana. One with blue wings and one with pale wings. This is not unusual in nature: two different types could increase the chances of survival when conditions suddenly change.
Together with colleagues our taxonomist Jérôme Constant and 'citizen scientist' Joachim Bresseel described this blue stick insect from Thailand and Myanmar. They regularly travel to Southeast Asia to find new species. It's an insect heaven that slowly reveals its secrets.
[Watch the mini documentary we made about their work]
by big black stick insects. I find at least one per day lately, in various random places, not doing anything, just sitting there. I’m kinda… squicked, tbh. Why the heck don’t they just stay in the garden, and what am I supposed to doooooooo…..
BTW no, I definitely don’t want them as pets, allergic to more thsn four legs on anything/anyone.
Second bug edit 😍😍 this is just what I do now. Isopod edit gonna be fire when it drops 🔥🔥🔥 but for now have Clarice <3 she is that girl, she's still the only one molted
Did you know, that stick insects have two glands that can spray a toxic chemical to ward off predators if threatened, however they only use this if absolutely necessary as they are extremely tame and friendly. Stick insects can spray this chemical up to around 2 to 3 feet.
Stick insects are incredibly docile to humans and do not intend on biting, stinging or spraying unless they feel very threatened.