Northern Two-Striped Walkingstick

Anisomorpha ferruginea

Range

• The central United States

Habitat

• Trees and shrubs

Diet

• Leaves

Be careful if examining this species in the wild because they can squirt an irritating secretion up to a foot when disturbed.

These wingless insects use their shape and color as camouflage to hide from predators. The much smaller males are sometimes found riding on the backs of the females. Because this reminds people of a jockey on a horse, they have been given the nickname “musk mare.”