Large stick insect, Utria National Park, Colombia

Closeup of the head:

comments (4)

Albert Kang

Lion

This Phasmid is still a nymph, not adult yet, possibly Metriophasma (Metriophasma) sp.
It is very difficult to determine to species level if they are not adults. Posted 4 years ago
1. Ferdy Christant
  
  Lion
  
  Wow, would not expect that, pretty huge nymph! Posted 4 years ago
2. 1. Albert Kang
    
    Lion
    
    Phasmids goes through several stages of moulting before adults.
    Usually females have 1 more moult than the males.
    They are still referred to as nymphs from Instar1/L1 to Instar5/L5.
    After that, its sub-adult before the final moult to adult.
    
    In this case, this could be an L4/L5 nymph, may looks big, possibly 8-10 cm in body length?
    In some species, the adults grows up to 20 cm in body length, so L4-L5 stages could be 12-14 cm in body length. Posted 4 years ago
  2. 1. Ferdy Christant
      
      Lion
      
      Thanks, did not know that. Yes 8-10cm sounds about right for this one. Posted 4 years ago

No species identified

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