Family Phasmatidae Identification Key

1.	Anterior femora rarely triangular in cross section, but if they are, then neither serrate nor dentate at base (Exception: apterous Cladoxerini); anterior femora usually with four distinct carina, and if so not serrate at base nor on upper carina	2
-	Anterior femora approximately triangular in cross section, serrate at least dorsobasally; either with wing rudiments or with mesonotum longer than metanotum; some small, apterous species in Burma and Indonesia with dorsobasally smooth fore femora, a short mesonotum, and anal segment of male cleft	Phasmatinae
2.	Female operculum sometimes extends for some distance over apex of abdomen. America, Madagascar	Cladomorphinae
-	Female operculum simple, Old World forms, mainly Indo-Australian	3
3.	Operculum of female and elongate supra-anal lamina form beak-shaped ovipositor often attached without suture; posterior femora of male often thickened and armed. Melanesia to Fiji	Eurycanthinae
-	Female operculum and supra-anal lamina do not form a beak-shaped ovipositor; hind femora of male never thickened or armed	4
4.	Ventrolateral carinae of middle and hind femora finely serrate or smooth; anterior femora not compressed at base	5
-	Femora with blunt teeth or lobes on carinae; anterior femora distinctly compressed. Melanesia, Celebes, New Guinea, Australia	Xeroderinae
5.	Cheeks not broader than eye; wings usually well developed, elytra elongate oval weakly umbonate. Australia, New Guinea, Madagascar	Tropidoderinae
-	Cheeks broader than eye; elytra and often wings short or wanting. New Guinea, Philippines, Moluccas, Greater Sunda Islands	Platycraninae

Reference

Bradley, J.C., and Galil, B.S. (1977). The taxonomic arrangement of the Phasmatodea with keys to the subfamilies and tribes. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington, 79(2): 176-208.