竹節蟲（Phasmatodea）源自希臘語“phasm”，意為「幻影」，指的是這些昆蟲的隱秘外觀和行為。Phasmatodea, derived from the Greek “phasm” meaning phantom, refers to the cryptic appearance and behavior of these insects.

種的俗名 Common names of members

樹枝蟲或葉蟲

Stick insects or leaf insects

分佈 Distribution

除了南極洲外，分布於每個大洲。

Every continent except Antarctica

形態描述 Morphology

長而圓柱形的身體，像樹枝或葉子

腿部細長且分段

翅膀通常退化或缺失

Long, cylindrical body like a stick or leaf

Leg segments long and slender

Wings often reduced or absent

生態與棲息地 Habitat & Ecology

主要棲息於溫帶和熱帶地區的樹木上，如林地和熱帶森林。

On trees in woodlands and tropical forests, mostly in temperate and tropical regions

食性 Diet

樹木和灌木的葉子。

Leaves of trees and shrubs

小知識 Fun Fact

樹枝蟲會來回搖擺，以更好地模仿風吹動的樹枝。雖然被稱為「行走的棍子」，但牠們能以非常快的速度移動，就像在奔跑的棍子一樣！

Stick insects may sway back and forth to more closely resemble a twig moving in the wind. Although called walking sticks, they can walk very fast like running sticks!

已知的物種 Total species known

3,000

博物館收藏的物種 Species in the collection

30

在香港已知的物種 Species in Hong Kong

20

Reference

• Front. Ecol. Evol., 07 October 2019 Sec. Phylogenetics, Phylogenomics, and Systematics Volume 7 - 2019 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2019.00345

• Hoell, H.V.; Doyen, J.T.; Purcell, A.H. (1998). Introduction to Insect Biology and Diversity (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press. pp. 398–399. ISBN 978-0-19-510033-4.

• CSIRO, Phasmatodea - stick insects, leaf insects. Available at: https://www.ento.csiro.au/education/insects/phasmatodea.html#:~:text=All%20phasmids%20are%20herbivores%20as,both%20young%20and%20old%20leaves.

• Bedford, Geoffrey O. (1978). "Biology and Ecology of the Phasmatodea". Annual Review of Entomology. 23: 125–149. doi:10.1146/annurev.en.23.010178.001013.

• Bian, Xue; Elgar, Mark A.; Peters, Richard A. (1 January 2016). "The swaying behavior of Extatosoma tiaratum: motion camouflage in a stick insect?". Behavioral Ecology. 27 (1): 83–92. doi:10.1093/beheco/arv125. ISSN 1045-2249.

• Siu, C., & Lau, K. (n.d.). CHECKLIST OF INSECTS OF HONG KONG. https://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/quarantine/qua_plants/files/Checklist.pdf

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