A WALK IN THE WOODS WITH A TIRELESS LOVER?

Fall is a good time to find walking sticks.  I’m referring to the insect in the Order Phasmatodea.  Phasma is Greek for phantom, referring to the stick or leaf-like appearance of the insect that allows them to blend into the foliage like phantoms.  They use camouflage through color, body shape, and even behavior to avoid predators.  Walking sticks, themselves are vegetarians (aka herbivores).  Many walking sticks are parthenogenic.  The females can produce babies without the need for male sperm.  Others however, are tireless lovers.  Some stick insects will copulate continuously for up to 10 weeks.  Regrettably, this isn’t because the males require this much time to deliver sperm nor because the males are smitten with their lovers.  Rather, the females are sluts and would mate with another guy first chance she got.  The male is functioning like a living chastity belt.

Fall in the Ozarks is a good time to find walking sticks because the females are laying their eggs before they die.  Keep your eyes peeled and you will eventually see them in the woods.  If you are impatient, get out a beating sheet.  No joke.  That is the name of a totally legitimate entomology tool to capture insects from trees and shrubs.  A beating sheet is a white piece of cloth, held open with PVC pipe.  You hold the beating sheet under the tree/shrub with one hand.  In the other hand, you beat the tree/shrub with a stick to knock out all the unsuspecting insects.  These will land on your beating sheet for your viewing enjoyment.  Warning, if you freak out about spiders you should note that they get beaten out too.

For more fun facts about these insects visit https://www.thoughtco.com/fascinating-facts-about-stick-insects-1968575.