New Stick Insect Species Discovered in China's Evergreen Forests

Scientists have discovered a new species of stick insect living in the evergreen forests of Damingshan, China.

A new species of stick insect, Sinophasma damingshanensis, was discovered during a field trip in China. Found by Ho Wai-Chun George from the Hong Kong Entomological Society, the new species was seen hiding in the Damingshan thick evergreen forest that is located in south-central Guangxi, China.

A majority of tree dwelling stick insects thrive in forest canopies and are known for their slender and elongated bodies and legs. They are masters at camouflaging themselves among stick and leaves. The newly discovered species has an elongated body and green-brownish coloration that is strikingly similar to a plant stem.

Due to its green-brownish body color, it is difficult to spot the insect and they make discovery harder by displaying a rocking behavior in which they move from side to side mimicking the movements of plants in the wind.

In order to overcome these camouflaging difficulties, the scientists collected the specimen at night when the insects are known to be active.  Using a torch the scientists spotted them on the leaves of plants.

"In order to find this new species, I had to use torch to spot it on leaves of trees at night because almost all stick- and leaf insects are nocturnal insects. If you know the insects' food plant, you can find the corresponding species. Sinophasma damingshanensis favors the leaves of Fagaceae and this is the tactic we used to find it in the wild. Hence, if you are a phasmatologist you may have to not only study the taxonomy of the stick- and leaf insects, but also the taxonomy of the plants." comments the author of the study, Ho Wai-chun George.

The finding is documented in the journal Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift.