Bacillus rossius

The European stick insect (Bacillus rossius) also called the European stick bug, European walking stick, or Mediterranean stick insect, is a species of stick insect, common in southern Europe. The species is endemic to the northwestern Mediterranean, especially Italy, Spain, Southern France, and the Balkans.[2][3]

Bacillus rossius
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Phasmatodea
Family: Bacillidae
Genus: Bacillus
Species:
B. rossius
Binomial name
Bacillus rossius
(Rossi, 1790)
Subspecies[1]
  • Bacillus rossius subsp. catalauniae L.Bullini, 1982
  • Bacillus rossius subsp. lobipes Lucas, 1849
  • Bacillus rossius subsp. medeae Nascetti & L.Bullini, 1983
  • Bacillus rossius subsp. montalentii L.Bullini, 1982
  • Bacillus rossius subsp. redtenbacheri Padewieth, 1899
  • Bacillus rossius subsp. rossius
  • Bacillus rossius subsp. tripolitanus (Haan & W.de, 1842)
Synonyms[1]
  • Mantis rossia Rossi, 1790
  • Pseudomantis rossius Rossius, 1790

Overview

Adults have a slim body, with short antennae and long, thin legs. Colors vary from brown to green, sometimes with a pinkish tinge on its head, legs and sides. This species can eat bramble leaves, ivy, and privet. B. rossius can be found from June to mid December and the eggs look like seeds. Females are larger than the male, with a bigger abdomen. An adult can be 10 cm (4 inches) in length.

Life cycle

The nymphs hatch out from their seed-like eggs 8 weeks to 2 months after being laid by a female. like the adult, the nymphs sway as in a breeze to avoid predators. B. rossius lives up to a year. They are nocturnal and may stay still for hours and usually feed at night. They shed the exoskeleton a few times in their life.

Predators

The predators include birds, frogs, lizards, rodents and spiders.

  • Many young stick insects on leaves (video)
  • A brown form
    A brown form
  • B. rossius on a twig
    B. rossius on a twig
  • A green form
    A green form
  • Video of a European stick insect (B. rossius)
  • Eating a leaf of Rubus ulmifolius (mouthparts also visible)
    Eating a leaf of Rubus ulmifolius (mouthparts also visible)
  • Adult and nymph
    Adult and nymph
  • Female stick insect
    Female stick insect
  • Female (head's detail)
    Female (head's detail)
  • A stick bug
    A stick bug

See also

References
  1. "Bacillus rossius". Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  2. Oliver Zompro: Grundwissen Pasmiden – Biologie - Haltung - Zucht. Sungaya Verlag, Berlin 2012, S. 73, ISBN 978-3-943592-00-9
  3. "Bacillus rossius at bugsincyberspace.com". Archived from the original on 2007-11-27. Retrieved 2007-11-18.

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