Phasmatidae Temporal range:
| |
---|---|
Bactrododema tiaratum | |
Scientific 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]