Walking Stick

This wierd looking insect is a member of the Phasmida family. They are a close relative of the Praying Mantis. They are also related to termites.

This insect does look like a stick and can become almost invisible in the brush and on trees. They are herbivorous, feeding mostly on the leaves of trees and shrubs. These strange and "ugly" guys only are seen here in fall.

Stick insects , like praying mantis, show rocking behaviour in which the insect makes rhythmic, repetitive side-to-side movements. This enables them to resemble vegetation moving in the wind, which helps camoflauge them from potential preditors. Click on his picture so you can see how strange he is.