By G. O. BEDFORD and L. J. CHINNICK
Division of Entomology, C.S.I.R.O., Canberra, Australia
Animal Behaviour, 14(4), Oct, 1966, pp. 518-521.
Vigorous reactions in stick insects (Phasmatodea, Phasmatidae) have
seldom been reported. In general the defences of stick insects against
predators are passive, and linked to a highly procryptic way of life. The
vigorous reaction to stimulation in the Australian species Eurycnema
goliath (Gray) and Tropidoderus childrenii (Gray), which we
describe here, may be defensive, and represents an unusual departure
from what is generally encountered in phasmatid behaviour.