Habits, etc., of the "Walking-Stick" (Aplopus maycri). 47 



Suriana, both of which fall from the branches to the ground, where they 

 are obscured among the debris (figs. 4a and 4b of plate i ). 



The " walking-sticks " are not easily collected during the day, though 

 at night, when they become active, one may obtain them in large numbers by 

 means of a lantern. The following instance may be cited as illustrating the 

 e.xtent to which these insects are concealed as they sit among the branches. 

 A small group of bushes about 10 feet in diameter contained six large fe- 

 males and two adult males. Three of the females were sitting near the edge 

 of the bushes and within about 2 feet of one another. A person unaccus- 

 tomed to searching for the insects, although familiar with their appear- 

 ance, attempted to find the three, but failed to locate any of them. I then 

 followed after him and succeeded in locating two, but failed to find the 

 third until a second careful search was made. 



As a test of how readily birds might find aplopi while in their motionless 

 attitude, five individuals were placed on the ground near a hen with several 

 small chickens. The mother showed no evidence of recognizing the in- 

 sects until within a short time the Aplopi became excited at finding them- 

 selves on the ground and began to crawl toward a bush. When they began 

 moving the hen immediately started after them. 



The observations and experiments that follow were based on the actions 

 of 26 males and 81 females, some of which were kept in cages, while others 

 were allowed to remain in their natural environment on isolated Siiriana 

 bushes. 



ATTITUDES WHEN AT REST. 



Aplopus assumes a decidedly protective attitude when at rest. The fore- 

 legs, which are slightly grooved on their anterior surfaces, are directed for- 

 ward, the grooves being approximated to form a tube inclosing the antenna;, 

 thus producing a resemblance between the anterior end of the animal and 

 the straight end of a small dead stick (see fig. i of plate i and also figs. 

 I, 2, and 3 of plate 2, photographs from life of the insects in such a 

 position). With their forelegs straightened in this manner, the females 

 usually rest in an obliquely vertical position on the leafless stems. The 

 abdomen sometimes points upward, the tips of the forelimbs being directed 

 down, grasping the branch on which they rest. Again, the abdomen may be 

 turned downward and serve as a partial support, while the body, with the 

 extended forelegs free, points obliquely upward. In either attitude the in- 

 sect closely simulates a dead stick projecting from the supporting branch. 

 The femora of the first pair of legs are curved near their proximal joints 

 so as to fit closely around the insect's head when they are extended forward 

 (fig. 2 of plate i). The females, as mentioned before, vary considerably in 

 color from dark brown to light gray, as do also the stems of Suriana, though 

 the insects do not at all times take advantage of this variation, the dark 

 females being not uncommonly seen on light stems, and vice versa. 



