Northern Walkingstick

An interesting pair of insects was recently spotted on the trail to North Lookout. The Northern Walkingstick (Diapheromera femorata) is a common nocturnal insect that feeds on a variety of deciduous tree leaves. Females are larger than males, as shown in the photograph, measuring approximately 3 ½” to 4” long. The northern walkingstick is wingless, so in order to evade predation during the day they rely on camouflage and mimicry, standing still for hours and swaying in the breeze to resemble twigs on tree limbs.

Photo by Laura Berry.