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WalkingsticksWhat is this?
Location: Alabama
December 2, 2011 10:19 pm
What kind of bug is this? I saw it in central Alabama – Cheaha State Park, about 2,000 ft elevation. It was crawling along the forest floor. It was about 3.5 inches long.
Signature: With Ink
Muskmare
Dear With Ink,
You have submitted a photograph of a Southern Two-Lined Walkingstick, Anisomorpha buprestoides, and it is also known by the common name Muskmare. The name Muskmare refers to two characteristics of this species. Adults are frequently found in a mating position with the diminutive male riding atop his mount. The species is also capable of spraying a noxious substance with amazing accuracy, and there are reports that damage to the cornea can occur if the musky spray hits the eye.
Thanks! I’m glad I didn’t get sprayed.
Justin
Correction
December 6, 2011
We just received a species correction that this is a Northern Two-Lined Walkingstick, not a Southern Two-Lined Walkingstick. It is interesting that BugGuide does not recognize the common name Muskmare for either species or the genus.
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Comments 2
this one is Anisomorpha ferrugina (not A. buprestoides). ID by my friend Oskar Conle (www.phasmatodea.com)
Posted 06 Dec 2011 at 3:09 pm ¶Thanks for the correction.
Posted 07 Dec 2011 at 8:51 am ¶Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. You can also subscribe without commenting.
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