THE WALKING STICK. 317 
88. The pig-hickory slug worm. 
Selandria sp. 
This is a pale green slug worm, representing in form the naked larva 
of Selandria caryce, with several rows of short, forked white hairs ; 
quite abundant at Providence May 30, eating roundish holes in the 
leaves of the pig-nut hickory. 
89. The thick-thighed walking-stick. 
Diapheromera femorata Say. 
Order Orthoptera ; family Phasmid^e. 
The following account of this singular insect is taken verbatim from 
Professor Riley's U. S. Report for 1878 : 
Certain elongate insects belonging to the Orthoptera, and popularly known as the 
<l Walking-stick " or "Walking-leaves," according as they lack or possess wings, 
have long been recognized as among the most bizarre of entomological creatures. 
Mimicking to a remarkable degree, as their popular names imply, the twigs and 
leaves upon which they dwell, these insects find their most congenial home in the 
tropics, where some of the species attain to over a foot in length, exclusive of the legs. 
The most common and wide-spread species in North America is the subject of the 
present sketch. 
Owing to its curious, slender, long-legged, slow-moving characteristics, it has been 
properly dubbed the " Walking-stick," "Stick-bug," "Specter;" while in some 
localities it is known as "Prairie Alligator," " Devil's Horse," and other odd cogno- 
mens, generally indicative of its appearance and of a superstition which is quite 
prevalent, but most unfounded, that it is poisonous and caD sting or bite. 
The popular name above employed will serve to distinguish it from another toler- 
ably common species the Two-striped Walking-stick (Anisomorpha buprestoides Stall). 
This insect has always been considered harmless, or as Harris puts it, has "not 
proved so injurious as particularly to attract attention.* In 1872, however, while 
lecturing at Cornell University, I noticed that it was unusually abundant around 
Ithaca, and it was there reported as doing considerable injury to the rose bushes and 
other shrubs. The following letters from correspondents will also show that Harris's 
verdict, which is that of all other standard authors, can no longer be considered 
correct : 
"Inclosed find specimens, male and female, of an insect which is proving to be a 
scourge. About the middle of June I discovered, mostly on standing grass, this same 
insect, only very much smaller, of a light pea-green color, but not in sufficient num- 
bers to be thought of as a pest. I noticed about August 15, in the reservation of 
young timber, mostly white oak and hickory, a few trees having the appearance of 
being burned just enough to kill the leaves. On closer investigation 1 found many 
of these insects devouring the leaves. Later, I judge at least 25 acres were com- 
pletely stripped of foliage ; as much so as if fire had run through the wood and killed 
«very tree. They seemed to have no choice as to what variety of timber they attacked. 
There were many in my peach orchard and lawn. On single trees, far removed from 
my timber lot, they were as thick as could well be, in many places in heaps. Fences 
adjoining the timber were fairly covered with them. They have been known for 
years in this vicinity, but were heretofore always considered harmless. From pres- 
ent appearances they are greatly to be feared as a scourge, consequently anything 
*Ins. Inj. to Veg., p. 147. 
