Habitat
Adults: terrestrial
Immatures: terrestrial

Feeding Habits
Adults: phytophagous
Immatures: phytophagous

North American
Species: 4

Phasmatodea Heteronemiidae
Heteronemiid walking sticks

Special Characteristics: These insects are very distinctive, with their stick-like appearance and long thin body and legs.

Comments: These are slow moving herbivores that are found on trees and shrubs. They have defensive glands on the thorax that emit a foul smelling substance.

Species:
Diapheromera femorata (Say)

Common Name:
Walking stick

Feeding Habits: This species is phytophagous. Adults feed on foliage of oak trees. Small nymphs feed on understory plants and white oak.

Distribution:
Southern Ontario and Quebec

Comments:
This species is seldom found except where its host plants (black, northern red and white oak trees) occur. Adults prefer black oaks. These insects become numerous in areas where oak is predominant after logging and burning.