Phasmatidae
Temporal range: Cenomanian–Recent
Bactrododema tiaratum
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Phasmatodea
Infraorder: Anareolatae
Family: Phasmatidae
Leach, 1815
Diversity
10 subfamilies (but see text)
Synonyms

Phasmidae Gray, 1835

The Phasmatidae are a family of the stick insects (order Phasmatodea). They belong to the superfamily Anareolatae of suborder Verophasmatodea.[1]

Like many of their relatives, the Phasmatidae are capable of regenerating limbs and commonly reproduce by parthenogenesis. Despite their bizarre, even threatening appearance, they are harmless to humans.

The Phasmatidae contain some of the largest insects in existence. An undescribed species of Phryganistria is the longest living insect known, able to reach a total length of 64 cm (25.2 inch).[2]

Subfamilies

Following the Phasmid Study Group, nine subfamilies are recognized in the Phasmatidae. Other treatments differ, sometimes recognizing as few as six.[1]

The Lonchodinae were historically often placed in the Diapheromeridae, the other family of the Anareolatae. The Phasmatinae are often expanded to include the two tribes here separated as the Clitumninae, while the Extatosomatinae may be similarly included in the Tropidoderinae as a tribe.

The Phasmid Species File[3] currently lists:

In addition, the extinct subfamily Echinosomiscinae is known from the genus Echinosomiscus from the Burmese amber.[4]

In addition, a number of Phasmatidae taxa are here considered incertae sedis:[1]

Consequently, numerous taxa are transferred or re-transferred to other genera, which results in 22 new or revised combinations or status of genera and species.

Male Phobaeticus chani, "Chan's megastick", one of the world's longest insect species[5]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "Phasmatidae". Phasmida SpeciesFile. Phasmid Study Group. September 28, 2009. Retrieved April 19, 2011.
  2. ^ "Longest insect". Guinness World Records. Retrieved 2022-07-08.
  3. ^ Phasmida Species File (Version 5.0/5.0)
  4. ^ Engel, Michael S.; Wang, Bo; Alqarni, Abdulaziz S. (August 2016). "A thorny, 'anareolate' stick-insect (Phasmatidae s.l.) in Upper Cretaceous amber from Myanmar, with remarks on diversification times among Phasmatodea". Cretaceous Research. 63: 45–53. doi:10.1016/j.cretres.2016.02.015.
  5. ^ "World's Longest Insect Revealed". Natural History Museum. 16 October 2008.

Further reading

External links

Extant Phasmatodea families
Taxon identifiers
Categories