What 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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Leaf Insect
Location: Singapore
November 4, 2011 11:01 pm
I found this insect on an offshore Island called Pulau Bukom in Singapore. It was as big as my palm. Does it bite? It sure does look scary.
Signature: Freakedbybugs

Walking Leaf

Dear Freakedbybugs,
We believe we have correctly identified your Phasmid as a Walking Leaf, Phyllium giganteum, a species native to Malaysia and vicinity.  We first found a matching photo on Galerie Photos du Mond des Phasmes.  We then crosschecked that identification with verification on Phasmids In Cyberspace which has some excellent photos of the life cycle of the Walking Leaf.  The photos we found online are all of green specimens.  We don’t know if this is an aberration, or a color variation, or perhaps a different species.  At any rate, this yellow coloration does not camouflage this individual against the green leaves as well as it would be hidden were it green.   

Please identify this creature!
Location: Central Mississippi
September 17, 2011 8:44 pm
Dear Bugman,
I live in central Mississippi on a woodline. I have had problems with this creature in the humid summer season. This is the second year they have returned. Each time I see them they have 1-2 partners hanging around on their backs. They are very disgusting and when I kill them it’s as if they have blood and organs. I have killed 5 tonight. Please help! I am very curious! Thanks for your help!
Signature: Shannon

Mating Muskmares

Dear Shannon,
This is a photo of a pair of Two Striped Walkingsticks in the genus Anisomorpha, commonly called Muskmares.  Adults are frequently found in pairs as both your letter and photo indicate.  You have mentioned that they appear to have blood and organs when you kill them, and your observations are correct.  Though it is quite different from human blood, insects do have a substance known as hemolymph, and they most certainly have organs.  It seems you have been killing these Walkingsticks because you find them disgusting and not for any other reason discernible from your email.  You should exercise caution when approaching Muskmares.  They are capable of spraying a noxious substance for a considerable distance with amazing accuracy, and when they are threatened, they aim for the eyes of their attacker.  The Richmond Eye Associates online newsletter contains an article entitled Ocular Injury from the Venom of the Southern Walkingstick that is an excerpt From EA Paysse MD, et al. Ocular Injury from the Venom of the Southern Walkingstick. Ophthalmology 2001;108:190-191.  We are going to reproduce the information from the Richmond Eye Associates in its entirety here:
“The Southern Walkingstick (Anisomorpha buprestoides) is an inconspicuous insect known for slow movement and camouflage. They are found in the southern United States, Florida and Texas for example, and feed on Oak leaves, Rhododendron leaves, and brambles. While otherwise harmless, this insect has a defense mechanism of spraying a toxic substance at potential predators, such as flying birds. It is known to have excellent marksmanship, often hitting the eyes of the predator. This report is of a significant ocular injury sustained by a child sprayed in the eye by a Southern Walkingstick.
An 8 year old boy was playing in his backyard when he discovered a Southern Walkingstick approximately one foot from his face in a bush. The insect sprayed a red fluid into his face that caused immediate pain and blurred vision in the right eye. The eye was flushed with water at home and in the emergency room.
The following day, he was examined by an ophthalmologist for continued blurred vision and foreign body sensation. A corneal abrasion involving about 30% of the cornea, and a large adjacent conjunctival abrasion were seen. The abrasion slowly healed over a 6 day period with no permanent effects or loss of vision.
The venom of the Southern Walkingstick is known to be locally toxic to mucous membranes, and is painfully irritating if inhaled. Fortunately, the toxin seems to cause only superficial damage, and no reports of permanent scarring has been observed in humans. There is one case involving a dog who subsequently developed a corneal ulcer after injury. Thus, exposure to the toxin should be followed by copious irrigation at the site of injury, with follow-up in the emergency room for further treatment.”

walking stick species?
Location: southern indiana
September 10, 2011 8:38 pm
Is this a ordinary walking stick ? I have never seen one look like this with so much color & for some reason it loves my Sycamore tree as you can see. thxs
Signature: brian

Giant Walkingstick

Hi Brian,
Your insect is a Giant Walkingstick, Megaphasma denticrus, and we quickly identified it on BugGuide which notes:  “Color is variable, greenish to reddish-brown, sometimes with white on legs.”  The claspers on the end of the abdomen indicate that this is a male.

Giant Walkingstick