io8 OUR INSECT FRIENDS AND FOES 



the stem, with its fore-legs stretched out straight 

 in front of it so as to form a continuous, thin line 

 practically inseparable from the grass, while the 

 other legs and the antennae stick stiffly out to 

 represent small spikes or blades. 



As the colour of the grass varies with the 

 seasons of the year, the insects also change in 

 hue; when, after the rainy season, the grass is 

 fresh and green, green grass insects will appear ; 

 then, as under the tropical sun the grass changes 

 to yellow, brown or red, so will the Phasmidae 

 vary to tone with their surroundings ; even 

 when the grass becomes decayed the strange 

 creatures follow suit, and adopt black spots and 

 markings to simulate fungus growth ! 



Another variation is the "Moss insect." Its 

 twig-like body and legs are covered all over with 

 olive green tufts, so that it looks exactly like a 

 rotten, moss-covered twig. This species is a 

 native of Borneo, and frequents mossy places 

 and lichen-covered trunks of trees. 



There are two species of the Phasmidae to 

 be found in Europe, but these do not attain 

 such a large size as those in tropical regions. 

 " Rossi's Stick Insect," a native of Italy and the 

 south of France, is about two and a half inches 

 in length and mimics a dead twig. 



A remarkable member of this family is Phyllium 

 siccifolium. This insect departs from the usual 

 custom of its tribe of mimicking twigs and grass, 

 and counterfeits a compound leaf. The large, 

 flat body and the wing-cases are a vivid green, 

 and marked so as to represent the veining and 

 reticulations of a leaf; while the upper parts of 



