Masters of camouflage

摘要

Far away in the South, I can see lightning, heavy lightning. I throw an umbrella into a box and a field guide, net, radio, water and three different headlamps. Twilight, and it's time to go out and hunt for some of the world's most peculiar beasts. Phasmids or phantoms (from the Latin phasma) are the most remarkable and bizarre of insects. Typically, they are either stick-like or leaf-like in appearance - hence they are commonly known as stick insects, walking sticks or walking leaves. Their appearance helps them to blend perfectly with their surroundings, camouflage being their defining characteristic. Besides their weird looks, they stand out from other insects because every member of their order, the Phasmatodea, eats nothing but leaves.