OniOniOniArt

This jet-black walkingstick is a relatively recent discovery from Peru.  [Febraury 18, 2020]

"Break something and make something new with the parts" I was low on breakables (=none) but I had some oak leaves in my car (don't ask). So I smashed those up and what better insect to make than a leaf-mimic walking stick from actual leaves? (The real insect is a much better mimic.) Leaves! Smash! Bug! (June 15, 2016)

This continues my series modeled after antique Japanese rulers. Each inch represents a different order, this is Phasmatodea. [March 3, 2016]

Devil-riders: walkingsticks in the family Pseudophasmatidae (see the little male?) Okay, it's actually my holiday.  To make a long sordid story short, I missed my exciting August travel-vacation and have instead settled on a much quieter retreat at home this week in September. This afternoon was spent fixing up the dirt patch.  Weeds and scorched plants were pulled, compost and mulch were added, and an additional layer of stones was added to either end of the run-off area. While moving a crate out of the way I noticed these two-lined walkingsticks, aka devil-riders.  I don't know anyone who has actually called them devil-riders, except insect books, and people quoting insect books. The female is about 4 inches long, and the little male will stay coupled with her for days while hitching a ride on her back (females can be hard to find when you can't fly). These guys are found in the southeastern US, but are particularly abundant in Florida, and they are vegetarians...